Offering excellent results in facial nerve trauma, 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 a Nerve Transfer?
The facial nerve graft procedure, which is frequently applied in patients with facial paralysis and offers excellent results in facial nerve trauma, aims to analyze and treat paralyzed nerves in the facial area. For this purpose, the paralyzed nerve is removed and a healthy nerve is taken from another part of the body. These nerves restore the movement of the facial muscles and help the facial muscles to move more comfortably. In this way, the quality of life of the patient with facial paralysis is greatly improved with the facial nerve transplantation procedure and his/her daily life becomes more comfortable. Since this facial nerve surgery is a very easy and short procedure, contrary to popular belief, the procedure is completed in a short time and the patient can continue his/her daily life.
What İs Nerve Transfer Smile Reanimation?
Nerve transfer smile reanimation is a surgical procedure used to restore the functionality of facial muscles in individuals with facial paralysis. In this procedure, an intact nerve in another part of the body replaces the facial nerve used to control the facial muscles. Usually, this intact nerve is taken from the top of the shoulder (trapezius muscle) and transferred to regenerate the paralyzed muscles of the face. The goal of this procedure is to restore nerve communication to stimulate the paralyzed facial muscles and create a natural smile or facial expression.
How is Nerve Transfer Surgery Performed?
In facial nerve microsurgery, which is one of the most preferred procedures in the treatment of facial paralysis and is an easy treatment, the patient's facial nerves are first analyzed in detail. As a result of these detailed analyzes, the paralyzed nerve in the face is identified and the procedure is started. In line with this process, the patient is anesthetized and incisions are made in front of the patient's ear. Afterwards, the previously detected paralyzed facial and masseteric nerves are treated by replacing them with healthy nerves taken from the body.
During the treatment process, all nerves are treated with microsurgery using a microscope. In this way, the patient's facial muscles are restored and movement is restored.
What Are Nerve Transfers for Facial Paralysis?
There are different types of facial nerve treatment. The use of these techniques varies depending on the rate of paralysis in the patient's face. These types are divided into 4. These are; Cross Facial Nerve Graft, Hypoglossal Nerve Treatment, Masseteric Nerve Transplant, Temporalis Muscle Surgery. To examine these types closely;
- Cross Facial Nerve Graft
Cross facial nerve grafting, which is a surgical method mostly applied in patients with facial paralysis and facial nerve damage, is an operation that involves taking the identified healthy nerve and grafting, repairing or reconnecting it to the paralyzed facial nerve. This operation is generally performed in cases where it is not possible to reconnect the paralyzed facial nerve. Therefore, it gives better results in patients with a high rate of facial paralysis.
- Hypoglossal Nerve Treatment (HFA):
Hypoglossal nerve treatment, which is a frequently preferred method in facial nerve trauma, is a treatment that involves removing part of the nerve line that controls tongue movements and transferring it to the facial muscles. This type of treatment is generally preferred in patients who have difficulty in managing tongue movements. After this procedure, patients can control their jaw and tongue muscles more easily and lead a healthy life.
- Masseteric Nerve Transplant (MFA):
Masseteric Nerve Transplant, which is another preferred method in facial nerve traumas, is a procedure that involves connecting the masticatory muscles to the facial nerve in general terms. In this procedure, it is aimed to heal the traumas received by the chewing muscles in the jaw. Thus, it helps the patient's chewing muscles to work in a healthy way.
- Temporalis Muscle Surgery (TMT):
Temporalis Muscle Surgery, the latest technique used in facial nerve transfer, is a method that focuses on improving the temporalis muscle, a large chewing muscle near the cheek bone. In this method, the Temporalis muscle is connected to the facial muscles, allowing the facial muscles to move. Thus, the patient's facial muscles move comfortably.
Benefits of Nerve Transfers for Facial Paralysis
Today, facial nerve microsurgery, which is one of the most preferred procedures in paralyzed nerve trauma, has many advantages for the patient. One of these advantages is that the person becomes more confident and happy in his/her social life. Other advantages of facial nerve transplant surgery are as follows;
- Symptom Relief: Facial nerve treatment, which is often preferred in facial nerve trauma, helps to alleviate or eliminate the symptoms of facial paralysis. In this way, the patient's facial muscles can move healthily again and regain their normal facial expressions. At the same time, thanks to facial nerve repair, they can display a more confident posture.
- Improving Quality of Life: Facial nerve repair Improving facial expression after treatment can improve patients' social interactions. This can help them to move through their daily lives more comfortably. At the same time, facial nerve repair can improve patients' psychological and emotional well-being.
- Functional Recovery: Facial nerve transfer can help restore basic functions such as speech, swallowing and other facial movements by providing functiona
- Long Term Results: A facial nerve graft performed correctly can provide long-term results. At this point, nerve repair surgery can reduce the likelihood of symptoms returning, while at the same time increasing patients' chances of long-term recovery and return to normal function.
- Personalized Treatment Options:Because each patient's situation is different, facial nerve transplantation is usually performed with a personalized approach. This way, the patient can achieve the look they dream of and experience less pain during the nerve repair operation.
- Minimally Invasive Options: In some cases, facial nerve treatment can be performed with minimally invasive surgical techniques or non-invasive procedures. In this way, patients may experience less risk of complications in the facial nerve transplant procedure. And they can achieve flawless results in nerve repair operations.
What are the Risks and Complications of Nerve Transfers for Facial Paralysis?
As with any procedure, possible complications may develop in the nerve transfer procedure. However, this situation is in parallel with why the person pays attention to the recommendations and warnings during the healing process. For this reason, possible complications vary depending on the person. In order to avoid possible risks and complications in the facial nerve graft procedure, you should pay attention to the doctor's warnings and recommendations. If you encounter a possible risk, we recommend that you contact your doctor immediately.
Things to Consider Before and After Facial Nerve Graft
Many points need to be considered before and after facial nerve surgery. All these points allow the operation process to be easier and more comfortable, while at the same time helping to experience rapid recovery after surgery. For this reason, the advice and warnings given by the doctor must be taken into consideration after the procedure.
Things to Consider Before Facial Nerve Surgery
Before a facial nerve transfer is performed, there are many things to consider first. These will help you to be fully prepared for the treatment. For this reason, the following warnings should be taken into account.
- You may need to stop some medications before facial nerve graft. These medications include blood thinners, aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs. However, these medications should be stopped in consultation with a doctor.
- Before the procedure, you must be psychologically prepared for the procedure. For this reason, you should have a preliminary consultation with your doctor about any questions you may have about the procedure. This step helps you to be more psychologically prepared for the procedure.
- Smoking must be stopped 24 hours before the procedure and alcohol and alcohol intake must be stopped 1 week before the procedure. This ensures a more accurate and healthy blood flow during the operation.
- If there are any chronological conditions that may cause complications in the procedure, they should be mentioned to the doctor.
- 8 hours before that, eating should be stopped.
Things to Consider After Facial Nerve Surgery
In order to get positive results in the process after facial nerve transplantation, you need to be very careful. In this way, a faster healing process can be experienced and postoperative scars can heal more quickly.
- A balanced diet and adequate fluid intake are important in the post-surgical recovery process. For this reason, attention should be paid to the diet prescribed by the doctor to ensure healing of tissues and reduce the risk of infection.
- The movement and activity limitations recommended by the doctor should be followed for a certain period of time after the procedure. Otherwise, excessive movement or activity may adversely affect the healing process and increase the risk of complications.
- After facial nerve treatment, the patient should regularly participate in the recommended physiotherapy and rehabilitation programs. In this way, it is ensured that the facial muscles are strengthened and their mobility is increased.
Who Are Candidates for Nerve Transfers?
The immobility of facial muscles that occurs after facial nerve trauma affects patients psychologically and can also negatively affect their quality of life. For this reason, facial nerve graft is performed for patients to have a better quality of life. It would be more appropriate to answer the following questions to understand whether you are the right candidate for facial nerve transfer.
- Does the inability to move the muscles in the facial area negatively affect your quality of life?
- Have you also suffered from temporary and permanent facial paralysis such as bell's palsy?
- Do you want to move your mouth, eyes and any part of your face with ease?
If your answer to two out of three questions is “yes”, we can say that you are a suitable candidate for facial nerve transfer treatment. For more detailed information on this subject, you can contact Dr. Be and get information about whether you are the right candidate for facial nerve microsurgery.
Nerve Transfers For Facial Paralysis Cost
Contrary to popular belief, facial nerve transfer treatment is a very affordable procedure. For this reason, we recommend that you do a detailed research on the cost of facial nerve graft surgery. In this way, you can perform selective facial nerve surgery in a convenient and high quality way.
Facial Nerve Microsurgery Before After Gallery
You can view our facial nerve microsurgery gallery to see the results of successful selective facial nerve transfer surgery performed by Dr. Be in facial nerve trauma.
Why Doctor Be in Facial Nerve Transplant?
Dr. Be, one of the best facial nerve transplant surgeons in Turkey, has extensive experience and expertise in facial nerve microsurgery technique and at the same time offers the best and most perfect results to his patients by using the latest technology and methods. Thus, by prioritizing patient satisfaction, he has become one of the best facial paralysis treatment clinics in Turkey.
Frequently Asked Questions About Facial Nerve Transfer
Which nerves are used as donor nerves in facial paralysis?
In facial paralysis, healthy and functional nerves are usually used as donor nerves. These nerves are the nerves that provide control of facial muscles and affect facial expression. For example; Temporalis Nerve, Masseter Nerves, Hypoglossal Nerves, Sural Nerves and Other Branches of the Facial Nerve.
Is the donor nerve connected to the entire facial nerve or only part of it during nerve transfer?
During nerve transfer, the donor nerve may be connected to or fused with only part of the facial nerve. This can therefore vary depending on the surgical technique and the intended treatment outcome. Therefore, it is wrong to say anything definite.
Will I have a completely normal and spontaneous smile when an extra-facial nerve is used to regenerate my face?
When a non-facial nerve is used to revitalize your face, it is possible to achieve a completely normal and spontaneous smile. For this reason, you can have a facial nerve transfer procedure with peace of mind.
