Management of Long-Standing Flaccid Facial Palsy: Midface/Smile: Locoregional Muscle Transfer.

Masseter and temporalis muscle transfer is an effective technique for restoring facial symmetry and commissure excursion in flaccid facial paralysis. Adherence to the principles and biomechanics of muscle transfer is essential for achieving optimal results. Muscle transfer has the advantage of being single staged with fast recovery of function.

The Importance and Psychology of Facial Expression.

Facial expression is of critical importance in interpersonal interactions. Thus, patients with impaired facial expression due to facial paralysis experience impaired social interactions. Numerous studies have shown that patients with facial paralysis and impaired facial expression suffer social consequences as demonstrated by being rated negatively with regards to attractiveness, affect display, and other traits.

Treating Scars of the Cheek Region.

Scars of the cheek resulting from all causes can extol significant psychological toll. The cheek is the largest facial subunit and visually and aesthetically prominent making scars in this region difficult to ignore. An approach to scar management that targets specific characteristics of a scar using a combination of surgical and nonsurgical modalities can significantly improve the appearance of most scars.