Lengthening temporalis myoplasty and reduction of the swallowing oral phase dysfunction in facial palsy patients.

INTRODUCTION: Facial palsy can cause dysfunction in the oral phase of swallowing. Lengthening temporalis myoplasty is a widely used technique for correction of facial asymmetry in facial palsy. The aim of this study was to determine whether lengthening temporalis myoplasty could reduce the dysfunction in the oral phase of swallowing in patients with facial palsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study enrolled 13 patients undergoing lengthening temporalis myoplasty. Lip continence, bolus residue, and perceived disability before surgery and at 3 months and 6 months after surgery were compared. Lip force was evaluated with a manometric test and drooling with a self-administered questionnaire. Bolus residue was assessed visually. Perceived disability was evaluated using a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: Lip force improved significantly (from 58.23 ± 23.35 mmHg to 91.15 ± 18.36 mmHg; p = 0.001). Drooling showed a corresponding reduction, with the score decreasing from 4.31 ± 1.8 to 3 ±â€¯1.41; p = 0.025. A decrease in bolus residue was also noted; the score decreased from 1.39 ± 0.77 to 0.46 ± 0.66; p < 0.001. These changes contributed to a significant reduction in perceived physical disability; the score decreased from 6.15 ± 3.74 to 3.46 ± 5.70; p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: Lengthening temporalis myoplasty, in addition to providing smile reanimation, may also reduce the dysfunction of the oral phase of swallowing in patients with facial palsy.