Offering perfect results in masseter facial nerve transfer treatment, Dr. Be improves the quality of life of his patients with personalized treatment plans. In line with these perfect results, he brings his patients to the results they desire both psychologically and physically.
What is Masseter Facial Nerve Transfer?
Masseter Facial Nerve Transfer is a surgical procedure to restore lost facial expressions and facial muscle function in patients with facial paralysis. This procedure is usually performed as a result of damage or loss of function of facial nerves. Because in this case, patients become unable to perform basic facial movements such as smiling and blinking.
How is Masseter Nerve Transfer Procedure Performed?
Masseter Nerve Transfer is a surgical operation performed to restore facial expressions to patients whose facial nerve is damaged due to facial paralysis and loss of movement in facial muscles. Within the scope of this operation, the nerve of the masseter muscle, a powerful chewing muscle, is aimed to be connected to the facial nerve that controls the facial muscles. The first step is to identify and release the masseter nerve and connect it to the part of the facial nerve that has lost its function. During this connection, nerve impulses are transmitted to the facial muscles, allowing facial movements such as smiling to be regained. Thus, the patient is helped to regain facial functions. Although this operation is performed under general anesthesia, it may take a few hours. In addition, since the healing process takes several months, patients gradually begin to regain facial movements and facial expression becomes more natural.
Benefits of Masseter Muscle Transfer Operation for Facial Paralysis
- Restoring Smile and Facial Expressions: Masseter muscle transfer surgery restores facial expressions such as smiling, bringing back the basic facial expressions lost due to facial paralysis. This allows the patient to communicate more naturally and confidently in their social life.
- Restoration of Facial Symmetry: The operation greatly restores facial symmetry as it allows the facial muscles to work in harmony again. It helps the face to achieve a natural appearance by reducing asymmetry problems.
- Better Muscle Control: Connecting the masseter muscle to the facial muscles allows patients to better control their facial muscles. Daily facial functions such as smiling, blinking and lip movements become better controlled after the operation.
- Increased Self-confidence: For facial paralysis patients, regaining facial expression has a huge positive impact on self-confidence. Patients can communicate more comfortably and confidently in their daily lives, social and business life.
- Providing a Permanent Solution: Masseter muscle transfer provides a permanent solution for patients with facial paralysis. After the surgery, the function of the facial muscles is restored on a long-term basis, thus reducing the need for continuous treatment.
- Providing Comfortable Life: Restored function of the facial muscles allows patients to eat, speak and perform other basic facial movements more comfortably. This increases the comfort of daily life.
Is Masseter Muscle Transfer Safe and Effective in Facial Palsy?
Masseter muscle transfer in facial paralysis is a safe and effective method to restore facial movements and especially expressions such as smiling. In this context, Masseter muscle transfer aims to restore movement to the facial muscles by connecting the masseter muscle, the chewing muscle, to the facial nerve in cases where facial muscles have lost their function due to facial nerve palsy. As a result, when performed by an experienced surgeon, it is generally safe and the risk of complications is low. Thus, physical therapy is necessary for the facial muscles to adapt after surgery. As a result, masseter muscle transfer, which offers a highly effective solution for patients who experience permanent facial paralysis and do not respond to other treatment methods, both restore their self-confidence in their social life and regain the functionality of their facial expressions to a great extent.
Things to Consider Before and After Masseter Facial Nerve Transfer
There are many points to be considered before and after the masseter nerve transfer procedure. These points both ensure that the surgical process proceeds positively and accelerate the postoperative healing process. For this reason, it is absolutely necessary to be very careful before and after the masseter nerve transfer procedure. In case of rebellion, it is not possible to achieve positive results after surgery, as well as possible complications may develop.
Things to Consider Before Masseter Facial Nerve Transfer
There are some points to be considered before masseter nerve transfer. By paying attention to these points, you can ensure that the surgical process progresses positively. These points are as follows;
- If you have any drug allergies or side effects, they should be shared with the doctor before masseter facial nerve transfer surgery. This information is important for the selection of medications to be used during and after masseter nerve transfer surgery.
- Blood thinners may need to be stopped before surgery. Because such medications may increase the risk of bleeding during surgery, they should be discontinued for a while in advance on doctor's advice.
- Getting enough and quality sleep before masseter nerve transfer surgery helps the body to recover. Therefore, a good sleep pattern supports the immune system and reduces the stress of surgery.
- Smoking and alcohol can negatively affect the healing process. Therefore, it is recommended to stop smoking and drinking alcohol before masseter facial nerve transfer surgery.
- It is important to consume nutritious foods and plenty of water to strengthen the immune system before and after surgery. Adequate protein, vitamin and mineral intake should be considered to increase the body's healing capacity.
Things to Consider After Masseter Nerve Transfer
As before the masseter facial nerve transfer procedure, there are factors that you should pay attention to after the masseter facial nerve transfer procedure. While these factors prevent the development of possible complications, they also increase your healing process. To discuss these factors in detail;
- After masseter facial nerve transfer surgery, it is important to get enough rest for the body to heal. Heavy activities should be avoided for the first few days and the rest plan recommended by the doctor should be followed.
- Physical therapy and facial muscle exercises are important to ensure that new muscle and nerve connections gain proper function. Therefore, doing the facial exercises recommended by the physiotherapist regularly accelerates the healing process.
- Hygiene rules should be observed to reduce the risk of infection at the surgical site. It is important to clean the area with antiseptic solutions recommended by the doctor and protect the area from extreme heat or cold.
- After masseter facial nerve transfer surgery Painkillers, antibiotics or other medications prescribed by the doctor should be used regularly during the recovery process. The prescribed medicines help to prevent possible infections and keep the pain under control.
- A diet with sufficient protein, vitamins and minerals should be followed to support the healing process. It is also important to drink plenty of water to help the body recover.
- In the first period, facial expressions and heavy exercises that will strain the facial muscles should be avoided. Facial muscles should be re-accustomed with slow and controlled movements.
Who is a Good Candidate for Masseter Nerve to Facial Nerve Transfer?
In order to perform facial nerve transfer from the masseter nerve, patients must be experiencing certain conditions. If we need to discuss these patients in detail;
- The person who will undergo masseter nerve transfer surgery should be someone who generally has difficulty in restoring the function of the facial muscles.
- In addition, individuals who have not benefited from physical therapy or other facial paralysis procedures or have not achieved the desired result.
- People who also have congenital facial paralysis from birth
- In addition, people with Bell's palsy
- People with damage to facial nerves after accidents or surgical procedures
- Candidates who can withstand the operation process and have a low risk of complications
- Finally, patients who can adapt to postoperative rehabilitation and physical therapy
Masseter Facial Nerve Transfer Cost
Turkey, which is a suitable destination for the correction of facial paralysis, is very advantageous in terms of successful surgeons and techniques. The main reason for this is that there is excessive competition in masseter nerve transfer surgeries. At the same time, another reason why the cost of masseter muscle transfer is affordable is that Turkey is advantageous in terms of exchange rate and the Ministry of Health provides great support to aesthetic centers.
Masseter Nerve Transfer Before and After Gallery
You can also view our asymmetric crying facies before and after gallery to see the successful asymmetric crying facies treatment results performed by Dr. Be in asymmetric crying facies surgery.
Doctor Berke, One of Turkey's Masseter Muscle Transfer Surgeons
Dr. Be, one of the best facial asymmetry surgeons in Turkey, offers perfect results in masseter muscle transfer surgery. Thus, you can have a healthy appearance by achieving your dream look without any problems.
Publications about Facelift & Rejuvenation
Cakmak O, Özücer B, Aktekin M, Özkurt FE, Al-Salman R, Emre IE.
Aesthet Surg J. 2018 Nov 12;38(12):1269-1279. doi: 10.1093/asj/sjy062.
PMID: 29509842
Cakmak O, Emre IE, Özücer B.
Facial Plast Surg. 2018 Feb;34(1):59-65. doi: 10.1055/s-0037-1615283. Epub 2018 Feb 6.
PMID: 29409105 Review.
Frequently Asked Questions About Masseter Muscle Transfer
Is Masseter-Facial Nerve Transfer Suitable for Me?
Masseter-Facial Nerve Transfer may be a suitable option for patients who have lost the function of facial muscles due to facial paralysis. This method is usually preferred in cases where facial nerve damage is permanent or when other treatment methods have failed. If you have long-term facial paralysis and your facial muscles are unable to perform basic movements such as smiling, this procedure may help you.
Do facial movements look natural after Masseter Muscle Transfer?
When the surgery is successful, facial movements become more natural and the patient regains expressions such as smiling. However, achieving a completely natural appearance may require time and physical therapy.
Does Masseter Muscle Transfer completely cure facial nerve palsy?
This surgery restores some facial expression and improves facial expression, but complete recovery of facial nerve function is not guaranteed. The surgery is performed with the aim of significantly improving the patient's appearance and functionality.
How does Masseter Muscle Transfer contribute to the patient in daily life?
This operation helps the patient to regain facial expression, increase self-confidence and become more comfortable in social communication. Regaining expressions such as smiling contributes positively to the quality of life and social relationships.
Which part of the face is Masseter Muscle Transfer applied to?
The masseter muscle is usually transferred in and around the corner of the mouth to restore facial expressions such as smiling. With the correct positioning of the muscle, lip movements are restored.
When is Masseter Muscle Transfer preferred?
This method is generally preferred in patients who have lost facial movements due to facial paralysis, especially when other treatment options are insufficient. It can be an effective solution for patients who have lost facial muscle movements for a long time or for whom facial nerve repair is not possible.
