Complete Hemifacial Paralysis Post-facelift: Making Sense of a Plastic Surgeon's Worst Nightmare.

BACKGROUND: Postrhytidectomy hemifacial paralysis is a frightening clinical condition affecting the proximal facial nerve and most often associated with Bell's palsy. Associated symptoms are common and include auditory, salivary, vestibular, and gustatory complaints. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to provide increased awareness of postrhytidectomy hemifacial paralysis secondary to Bell's palsy in the plastic surgery community. METHODS: Following a roundtable discussion with the senior author's (J.C.G.) plastic surgery colleagues located all over the world, 8 surgeons reported having had firsthand experience with hemifacial paralysis in patients following facelift. Descriptions of their cases, including preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative courses were collected and reported. RESULTS: A total of 10 cases of postrhytidectomy hemifacial paralysis were analyzed based on results of a clinical questionnaire. Eight of the 10 cases involved all facial nerve branches, with 2 cases sparing the marginal mandibular branch. The vast majority of cases were referred to a neurologist and steroids initiated. Two patients were returned to the operating room for exploration. Associated symptoms reported included pain in the ear, hearing loss, ocular symptoms such as tearing or dryness, vestibular symptoms such as vertigo, changes in taste, and in 1 patient an electric-shock type sensation to the face. CONCLUSIONS: Hemifacial paralysis associated with Bell's palsy following rhytidectomy is a rare but known clinical entity that should be included in the preoperative informed consent process before facelift. Current management trends are neurology referral and steroid initiation.

Out of water in the dark: Plasticity in visual structures and function in an amphibious fish.

Many fishes encounter periods of prolonged darkness within their lifetime, yet the consequences for the visual system are poorly understood. We used an amphibious fish (Kryptolebias marmoratus) that occupies dark terrestrial environments during seasonal droughts to test whether exposure to prolonged darkness diminishes visual performance owing to reduced optic tectum (OT) size and/or neurogenesis. We performed a 3-week acclimation with a 2 ×$\times $ 2 factorial design, in which fish were either acclimated to a 12 h:12 h or 0 h:24 h light:dark photoperiod in water or in air. We found that water-exposed fish had poorer visual acuity when acclimated to the dark, while air-acclimated fish had poorer visual acuity regardless of photoperiod. The ability of K. marmoratus to capture aerial prey from water followed a similar trend, suggesting that good vision is important for hunting effectively. Changes in visual acuity did not result from changes in OT size, but air-acclimated fish had 37% fewer proliferating cells in the OT than water-acclimated fish. As K. marmoratus are unable to eat on land, reducing cell proliferation in the OT may serve as a mechanism to reduce maintenance costs associated with the visual system. Overall, we suggest that prolonged darkness and air exposure can impair vision in K. marmoratus, and that changes in visual performance may be mediated, in part, by OT neurogenesis. More broadly, we show that plastic changes to the visual system of fishes can have potential consequences for organismal performance and fitness.

Modified Lengthening Temporalis Myoplasty Using an Intraoral Approach.

BACKGROUND: Lengthening temporalis myoplasty (LTM) is a unique and definite facial reanimation procedure that involves inserting the whole temporal tendon directly into the nasolabial fold. However, the nasolabial fold incision remains one of the difficulties of this procedure, particularly in young or female patient. To avoid the need for this incision, the authors developed an intraoral approach to manipulate the temporal muscle tendon toward the nasolabial fold. in this study, we describe the details of this procedure. METHOD: The authors performed their intraoral approach procedure in 5 patients with established complete facial paralysis. instead of making an incision at the nasolabial fold to approach the coronoid process, the authors made the incision at the buccal mucosa. The results were evaluated both subjectively and objectively. RESULTS: The authors achieved facial reanimation without leaving any obvious scar on the face or neck and the effect of static reconstruction is obvious, even immediately after the surgery. All the patients obtained good facial movement within 4 months (2.5 months in average), and improved all evaluated parameters postoperatively. No infections or other major complications were reported following surgery; however, 1 patient developed a slight dimple that required revision. DISCUSSION: The authors could advance temporal tendon toward nasolabial fold firmly obtaining sufficient surgical field similar to that of nasolabial fold incision, and achieved fairly good results without an obvious scar on the face.Establishing LTM without nasolabial fold incision, we could expand the indication of LTM more widely, and it could be more familiar procedure for smile reanimation in all generation.

Sequelae of Facial Palsy: A Comprehensive Treatment.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: After studying this article, the participant should be able to: 1. Identify the different types of facial paralysis sequelae and define the several medical and surgical techniques commonly available today. 2. Develop a surgical plan to restore symmetry of the face at rest and in dynamic expressions and manage the patient during smile rehabilitation after dynamic smile reanimation with regional or free muscle transfer. 3. Understand the different types of facial paralysis sequelae and know the several medical and surgical techniques commonly available today. 4. Establish a comprehensive treatment plan to restore symmetry of the face at rest and in dynamic expressions and support the patient during smile rehabilitation after dynamic smile reanimation with regional or free muscle transfer. SUMMARY: Sequelae of facial palsy have a negative impact on the cosmetic aspect and functions of the face. They bear severe consequences for patients with regard to their body image and social relationships. There are numerous medical and surgical treatments that should be proposed to patients to achieve comprehensive facial symmetry. The key to an adapted therapeutic choice, to achieve the best outcomes for patients, is to perform a comprehensive evaluation of the paralyzed face and have broad knowledge of the several techniques described over time in the literature. The patient should be informed of the different therapeutic alternatives, their implications, and their limits. With this article, readers will be able to accurately diagnose the different types of facial paralysis sequelae to develop a surgical plan adapted to each case to restore symmetry at rest and in motion.

Facial Reanimation in the Seventh and Eighth Decades of Life.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of facial paralysis in the older population is often relegated to static rather than dynamic reanimation for fear of poor outcomes. This pervasive approach lacks physiologic foundation and is not evidence based. Thus, the authors present an extensive literature review demonstrating weak evidence supporting this misguided concept, followed by detailed outcomes from three centers of the largest reported series to date of patients older than 60 years after reanimation performed using three techniques-lengthening temporalis myoplasty, free functional muscle, and nerve transfers. METHODS: A PubMed search spanning over 40 years identified all reports on reanimation in patients older than 60 years. In addition, detailed demographics, surgical techniques, and outcomes of 30 patients older than 60 years were analyzed. RESULTS: Of 629 articles, only 45 patients were identified, described in case reports or small series, lacking details or consistent long-term follow-up. In the clinical series, average age, preoperative House-Brackmann score, and comorbidities were similar among the groups. Highest excursion was observed in the free functional muscle group, followed by nerve transfer and temporalis myoplasty, averaging 10.4, 6.8, and 3.1 mm, respectively. The most notable philtral deviation correction was in the lengthening temporalis myoplasty group, followed by the free muscle and nerve transfer groups, averaging 5.6, 2.2, and 1.13 mm, respectively. Complication rates were highest in the free functional muscle group. CONCLUSIONS: Facial palsy patients should not be denied dynamic restoration based on age alone. Although surgical technique may vary based on duration of palsy, surgeon experience, and preference, with each presenting advantages and disadvantages, dynamic restoration is feasible regardless of age. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.

Cervico-Mental Angle Suspensory Ligament: The Keystone to Understand the Cervico-Mental Angle and the Ageing Process of the Neck.

The authors performed cadaveric dissections to investigate the existence of an anatomical structure creating and maintaining the cervical mental angle, aiming to understand the anatomical bases of the cervico-mental angle and its modifications over time. Six fresh cadaver dissections were performed; four were done in the Caen University anatomy laboratory one in Paris XV University and one in the Coventry University hospital, England. At the end of this investigation, the authors were able to demonstrate the existence of an anatomical structure in the neck, the cervico-mental angle suspensory ligament. This ligament that fixates the platysma and skin to deeper structures originated from the second branchial arch and seems to play a key role in the formation of the cervico-mental angle and in the anatomical alterations in the ageing process. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE V: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Lengthening Temporalis Myoplasty: Virtual Animation-Assisted Technical Video.

Lengthening temporalis myoplasty is a well-established procedure for dynamic palliative reanimation of the lip in facial palsy sequelae. The particularity of this technique is that the entire temporal muscle is transferred from the coronoid process to the upper half of the lip without interposition of aponeurotic tissue. To date, no video describing the technique was available. This is the first video describing the entire procedure, from preoperative markings through postoperative rehabilitation. In the video presented herein, the authors craft virtual three-dimensional animations in addition to a live operation on a patient performed by Daniel Labbé, who first described this technique 20 years ago.

Computer-assisted planning of distraction osteogenesis for lower face reconstruction in gunshot traumas.

PURPOSE: Reconstruction of gunshot wounds of the lower face remains a challenge for the maxillofacial surgeon. We present our experience with the use of virtual surgery using Computer-Assisted Design (CAD)/Computer-Assisted Manufacturing (CAM) techniques to create a custom-made distraction device and prefabricated cutting guides (for both fibula and jaw osteotomies) and for device positioning. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We describe two cases of lower face reconstruction after gunshot wounds by osteogenic distraction osteogenesis (DO) and computer-assisted surgery (SurgiCase CMF 5.0® software, Materialise). Surgical osteotomies and placement of the custom-made distraction device were performed intraoperatively based on prefabricated guides. RESULTS: This fully digital preoperative planning improves the precision of osteotomies sites and distraction vectors. It largely reduces the operative time, with a greater operative safety. CONCLUSIONS: Reconstruction by DO allows the bone and soft tissues to be simultaneously regenerated. However, the control of three-dimensional reconstruction of the lower face with distraction is difficult in facial gunshot patients because of the difficulties in locating anatomical landmarks. Surgical osteotomies are pre-planned and rapidly performed using a cutting guide. Precise placement of the distraction device is achieved without the need for subjective assessment of the sole surgeon. In our experience, the surgery has resulted in outcomes similar to those predicted by the computer-assisted planning.

Hearing impairment, cochlear morphology, and peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)) formation in adult and aging NOS II knockout mice.

CONCLUSION: Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) II induction is a protective mechanism against age-related degeneration of the cochlea. OBJECTIVES: An induction of NOS II has been described in different inner ear pathologies. The objective was to examine the role of NOS II in age-related degeneration of the cochlea. METHODS: The hearing ability in adult and aging NOS II knockout mice (KO) and their wildtype (WT) littermates was explored via auditory brainstem response (ABR) measurements. Inner ear morphological differences were studied with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Immunohistochemistry was used to examine the induction of NOS II in the inner ear of aging WT mice. Expression of nitrotyrosin, a marker protein for the reactive oxygen species peroxynitrite, was compared between KO and WT mice using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Adult KO mice exhibited a mild hearing impairment. WT mice showed an induction of NOS II after 6 months of age. Age-related hearing deterioration was accelerated in KO mice, which was accompanied by increased nitrotyrosin formation and outer hair cell loss.

Lengthening temporalis myoplasty: a surgical tool for dynamic labial commissure reanimation.

Lengthening temporalis myoplasty (LTM), first described by Labbé in 1997, ensures the transfers of the entire temporal muscle from the coronoid process to the upper half of the lip without interposition of aponeurotic tissue. The temporal muscle changes function because it is entirely mobilized toward another effector: the labial commissure. Thanks to brain plasticity, the muscle loses its chewing function, and after 6 months of speech rehabilitation it acquires its new smiling function. We describe technical points especially the coronoid process approaches both through an upper temporal fossa approach and a lower nasolabial fold approach. Rehabilitation starts 3 weeks after the surgery following a standardized protocol to move from a mandibular smile to a voluntary, then spontaneous, smile in three steps. The LTM is the main part of a one-stage global treatment of the paralyzed face. It constitutes a dynamic palliative treatment usually started at the sequelae stage, 18 month after the outcome of a peripheral facial paralysis. This one-stage procedure is a reproducible and relevant surgical technique in the difficult treatment of peripheral facial paralysis. It allows implementing an active muscle transfer to reanimate the labial commissure and re-create a mobile nasolabial fold.

Lengthening temporalis myoplasty for facial paralysis reanimation: an objective analysis of each surgical step.

IMPORTANCE: Lengthening temporalis myoplasty is a dynamic procedure used to reanimate the middle third of the paralyzed face. Since its original description, it has been progressively modified over the years, with a reduction in the number of surgical steps. However, these modifications can decrease lengthening needed for the tendon to reach the oral commissure and upper lip without tension or overcorrection. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the maximal lengthening of the temporalis tendon that is possible with this technique and to assess the contribution of each surgical step to total lengthening. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Cadaveric dissection study from September 16 to 23, 2013, at a tertiary referral center using 10 cadaveric hemifaces. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Surgical exposure was obtained using coronal and melolabial incisions. The original surgical technique was broken down into 7 steps. Measurement of temporalis tendon lengthening relative to a fixed point was performed by a single surgeon after each surgical step using a millimeter ruler. RESULTS: Each surgical step resulted in progressive temporalis tendon lengthening for a median maximal total lengthening of 43.5 mm. The steps that contributed most to this lengthening were coronoidotomy and intraoral temporalis tendon dissection (median, 12.0 mm), incision of temporalis fascia insertion over the orbital rim (median, 6.5 mm), and zygomatic osteotomy with dissection of masseteric fibers (median, 11.5 mm), which represent the first and last 2 steps of the procedure, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Modifications of lengthening temporalis myoplasty must be considered with caution because the maximal lengthening potential can be obtained only when performing all 7 surgical steps. These modifications must be chosen appropriately based on the lengthening required for the temporalis tendon to reach the oral commissure and upper lip without tension or overcorrection. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA.

Experience and anatomical study of modified lengthening temporalis myoplasty for established facial paralysis.

Lengthening temporalis myoplasty, reported by Daniel Labbé in 1997, is a unique and definite facial reanimation procedure that involves moving the whole temporal muscle anteroinferiorly and inserting its tendon directly into the nasolabial fold. In the present article, we report our experience in the use of his modified method of the procedure, which preserves the zygomatic arch by transecting the coronoid process through the nasolabial fold incision. We also describe our cadaveric study that aimed to elucidate a secure approach for coronoid process transection. We performed this procedure in five patients with permanent facial paralysis. To improve facial symmetry, we also performed several additional static reconstructions such as T-shaped double-sleeve fascia grafts for lower lip deformities. We were successful in achieving considerable static improvement at rest, immediately after the surgery, and the recovery of facial movement was apparent approximately 3 months after the surgery. With regard to the cadaveric study, we noted that the entry to the buccal fat region, which is also the pathway of the temporal fascia, was a narrow space, and a short transection of the medial upper edge of the masseter fascia would make it easy to locate the coronoid process. Therefore, for a safe and secure access to the coronoid process from the nasolabial fold, we believe that we should first expose the cranial side and continue to dissect along the side and lower edge of the maxilla to locate the medial upper edge of the masseter fascia. By transecting along its edge, we could easily access the coronoid process, located immediately behind it, and widen the pathway of the temporal fascia. This modified method is less invasive and simpler compared to the original procedure, and understanding the detailed anatomy for dissection would help surgeons perform this procedure more confidently.

Intralesional cryosurgery to treat keloid scars: results from a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: A variety of treatment modalities have been proposed to treat keloid scars, but outcomes are often disappointing. Intralesional cryosurgery may significantly reduce these scars. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical safety and efficacy of intralesional cryosurgery to treat keloid scars. Feedback from patients on pain, pruritus and aesthetic discomfort was recorded before and after treatment. METHODS: A total of 10 patients with 14 keloid scars resistant to conventional treatments were enrolled in a retrospective study between October 2007 and October 2013. The efficacy of this treatment was evaluated by measuring the reduction in scar surface. RESULTS: Scar surface was reduced by an average of 58.5% after intralesional cryosurgery treatment for all scars (average pre-operative keloid scar surface: 874.6 ± 954.1 mm2; average post-operative keloid scar surface: 505.8 ± 1,024.7 mm2; p = 0.002). Pain and aesthetic discomfort were significantly decreased after treatment in all patients (p = 0.008 and p = 0.012, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that intralesional cryosurgery is an effective treatment for keloids.

Galea and periosteum flap filled with bone fragments in rabbits.

PURPOSE: To study the bone viability of a vascularized galea and periosteum flap filled with bone fragments, as a substitute of the bone graft in facial reconstructive surgery. METHODS: Forty rabbits were studied, and divided in two groups. One had a simple galea and periosteum flap done and the other had the same flap done and filled with bone fragments of the calvaria. The bone formation was evaluated by radiographies, macroscopic and microscopic analysis. RESULTS: The bone neoformation in both groups with differences in bone morphology and structure especially at histological analysis. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated osseous formation in both groups of galea and periosteum flaps, with and without bone fragments.

Galea and periosteum flap filled with bone fragments in rabbits

PURPOSE: To study the bone viability of a vascularized galea and periosteum flap filled with bone fragments, as a substitute of the bone graft in facial reconstructive surgery. METHODS: Forty rabbits were studied, and divided in two groups. One had a simple galea and periosteum flap done and the other had the same flap done and filled with bone fragments of the calvaria. The bone formation was evaluated by radiographies, macroscopic and microscopic analysis. RESULTS: The bone neoformation in both groups with differences in bone morphology and structure especially at histological analysis. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated osseous formation in both groups of galea and periosteum flaps, with and without bone fragments.

Submental area rejuvenation by digastric corset: anatomical study and clinical application in 20 cases.

UNLABELLED: Knowing the difficulties and limitations of surgery for rejuvenating the submental area during a cervicofacial rhytidectomy, we came up with the concept of the digastric corset, which is described in this article along with the surgical importance of the platysma, digastric and mylohyoid muscles based on anatomical dissections. A study of ten cadavers was conducted to describe precisely the limits of the submental area, the mandibular edge between the two Furnas ligaments, and the hyoid bone. Each anatomical item was dissected plane by plane: the skin, platysma, digastrics muscles, and mylohyoid muscle. The sliding of each muscle relative to the others was studied, photographed, and recorded. Feldman's corset technique was tested on two cadavers and a digastric corset was performed on eight cadavers. After suprahyoid fat lipectomy, we suture the digastric retaining ligaments to the mylohyoid muscles using a running suture, like a corset, then the platysma muscles are put aside on the median line followed by lateral platysma suspension. The different steps are presented and the results of 20 patients who underwent this procedure are presented after 1 year of follow-up. This study showed that the technique of a digastric corset anchored on the mylohyoid allows for one-step reconstruction of the floor of the mouth and a well-defined anterior cervical angle, a sign of a youthful-looking neck. This technique is indicated for difficult necks, when lateral repositioning of the platysma alone gives insufficient results. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Refinements in smile reanimation: 10-year experience with the lengthening Temporalis Myoplasty.

The lengthening Temporalis Myoplasty (LTM) is an innovative dynamic facial reanimation procedure that has been used to great effect following its conception during the early 1990s by the senior author. Since its first description in the literature the technique has been refined and it has become clear from correspondence that certain technical aspects of the procedure require particular attention to detail. We discuss from experience of more than a hundred cases and highlight not only the important technical aspects of the procedure but also the importance of pre-operative assessment and the avoidance of complications.

Double muscle innervation using end-to-side neurorrhaphy in rats.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: One of the techniques used for treating facial paralysis is double muscle innervation using end-to-end neurorrhaphy with sectioning of healthy nerves. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether double muscle innervation by means of end-to-side neurorrhaphy could occur, with maintenance of muscle innervation. DESIGN AND SETTING: Experimental study developed at the Experimental Research Center, Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, Unesp. METHODS: One hundred rats were allocated to five groups as follows: G1, control group; G2, the peroneal nerve was sectioned; G3, the tibial nerve was transected and the proximal stump was end-to-side sutured to the intact peroneal nerve; G4, 120 days after the G3 surgery, the peroneal nerve was sectioned proximally to the neurorrhaphy; G5, 120 days after the G3 surgery, the peroneal and tibial nerves were sectioned proximally to the neurorrhaphy. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty days after the surgery, G3 did not show any change in tibial muscle weight or muscle fiber diameter, but the axonal fiber diameter in the peroneal nerve distal to the neurorrhaphy had decreased. Although G4 showed atrophy of the cranial tibial muscle 30 days after sectioning the peroneal nerve, the electrophysiological test results and axonal diameter measurement confirmed that muscle reinnervation had occurred. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that double muscle innervation did not occur through end-to-side neurorrhaphy; the tibial nerve was not able to maintain muscle innervation after the peroneal nerve had been sectioned, although muscle reinnervation was found to have occurred, 30 days after the peroneal nerve had been sectioned.