ABSTRACT
Facial nerve paralysis can occur due to failure of the central driving mechanism (nuclear
or supranuclear pathology), failure of the conduit between the brainstem and the peripheral
musculature (the facial nerve), or failure of the peripheral end organ (the neuromuscular
system). Where the peripheral neuromuscular system fails, the options for dynamic
reanimation include a regional muscle transfer driven by another ipsilateral cranial
nerve, or a free muscle transfer driven by the contralateral facial nerve. Temporalis
muscle transfer is an example of regional muscle transfer and has been used since
early in the twentieth century. A further refinement, involving mobilization of the
coronoid process of the mandible in continuity with the insertion of the temporalis
muscle via a nasolabial fold approach, using fascial strips to re-create movement
around the mouth, is presented.
KEYWORD
Facial nerve paralysis - facial reanimations - temporalis transfer
