A groundbreaking surgical technique to address Moebius syndrome, a rare congenital disorder causing facial paralysis and social challenges, has been detailed in a recent study published in Facial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Medicine.
The innovative approach, presented by Babak Azizzadeh, MD, of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and the Center for Advanced Facial Plastic Surgery, along with coauthors, focuses on utilizing the ipsilateral facial nerve to provide motor innervation for gracilis free functional muscle transfer (FFMT) in specific Moebius syndrome patients exhibiting residual facial nerve activity.
Describing their findings, the researchers highlight the significance of identifying intraoperative residual facial nerve activity in Moebius patients with bilateral paralysis, marking a crucial step forward in understanding the condition. Moreover, they emphasize the pioneering nature of their technique, noting its effectiveness in facilitating spontaneous, symmetric smiles in children with Moebius syndrome and bilateral paralysis.
Facial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Medicine’s Editor-in-Chief, Travis T. Tollefson, MD, MPH, from the University of California, Davis, lauds the study’s contribution, particularly in depicting nuanced improvements in smile reconstruction for individuals unable to move their faces. Dr. Tollefson emphasizes the artistic adjustments made by the authors in nerve selection, muscle vectoring, and soft tissue management, bringing them closer to achieving natural, emotive smiles.
Facial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Medicine, led by Dr. Travis T. Tollefson, serves as a vital resource for physicians seeking cutting-edge information in reconstructive and cosmetic facial procedures. The journal, affiliated with prestigious organizations such as the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Inc., the European Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery, and the International Federation of Facial Plastic Surgery Societies, publishes peer-reviewed articles covering various aspects of head and neck reconstructive and cosmetic surgery.
