Baltimore — Results of a new study suggest that minimally invasive transposition of the temporalis tendon (MIT3) can reanimate facial paralysis, HealthDay News reports.
Researchers from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine reviewed pre- and postoperative records, photographs and videos of 17 patients with long-standing facial paralysis. The patients underwent MIT3 surgery between January 2006 and December 2008. Facial symmetry, oral competence and dynamic oral commissure movement were reviewed postoperatively.
The researchers found that all patients tolerated the procedure and none developed surgery-related complications. Patients achieved improved facial symmetry at rest and voluntary motion of the oral commissure. During surgery, the temporalis tendon was transposed to the modiolus without fascial extension or lengthening myoplasty.
“Dynamic reanimation after facial paralysis remains challenging but can be achieved in selected patients using the MIT3,” the authors wrote. “Although the technique is straightforward and dynamic movement can be demonstrated with intraoperative muscle stimulation, acquisition of desired facial movement requires intensive physiotherapy and a motivated patient.”
The study appears in the January/February issue of Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery.
