Reconstructive surgery permits patients who struggle with facial paralysis to restore their facial functional abilities.
Facial paralysis can be caused by a variety of factors:
A child could be born with paralysis because of Moebius Syndrome or other genetic reasons.
Adults can develop partial or total paralysis because of a tumor, a disease, or an injury.
In these cases, that person has trouble talking or making every day facial expressions, especially smiling.
This isn’t just about vanity. The inability to smile can actually hinder someone’s everyday life by making them look unfriendly and unapproachable.
Facial paralysis surgery attempts to restore some of these functions. At times, nerve grafts or muscle tissue are transferred to restore some movement to the face. In other cases, they perform “static reconstruction,” meaning they can bring some symmetry to the resting face even if they can’t restore facial nerve activity.
Someone with facial paralysis might consider getting this surgery for many reasons. The primary reason is to restore the ability to use facial expressions normally, but there are other health concerns with facial paralysis, such as inadequate eye protection. These health concerns can also be addressed with facial paralysis surgery.
