Management of facial paralysis following treatment of neurosurgical tumours

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to present our experience on improving the quality of life of patients with facial paralysis due to an operated intracranial tumour, by performing minimally invasive static reanimation procedures. We reviewed the clinical information pertaining to neurosurgical patients with facial paralysis that underwent static reanimation. The study included 11 patients with complete facial nerve paralysis of all nerve branches, that reported different primary complaints upon presentation. The performed procedures consisted of gold plate insertion into the superior eyelid, inferior eyelid ectropion correction or suture suspension. The functional results were favourable in all cases and the resulting appearance was acceptable. The choice of the different techniques used is discussed. Good outcomes are possible using static reanimation with an adequate adaptation of the techniques to the main patient complaint.

Keywords

• facial nerve
• paralysis
• static reanimation
• lagophthalmos
• intracranial tumour