Management of Bilateral Facial Palsy

Abstract

Bilateral facial paralysis is a rare entity that occurs in both pediatric and adult patients and can have congenital or acquired causes. When paralysis does not resolve with conservative or medical management, surgical intervention may be indicated. This article presents the authors' preferred technique for facial reanimation in patients with bilateral congenital facial paralysis. Specifically, a staged bilateral segmental gracilis transfer to ipsilateral nerve to masseter is discussed.

Keywords: Facial nerve; Facial paralysis; Facial reanimation; Gracilis; Mobius syndrome.