Plast Reconstr Surg
February 2013
Background: The anatomy of the facial nerve and its branches has been well documented. The course of the extratemporal facial nerve, its anatomical planes, and the surface landmarks of the temporal division and marginal mandibular division are well known. However, the surface landmark of the middle division of the facial nerve has not been studied to date.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis article outlines a thorough approach to facial nerve palsy and reconstruction.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFChildren are prone to developing moderate to severe Volkmann ischemic contracture following a supracondylar fracture of the humerus or its treatment. Given the variable extent of forearm muscle damage, tendon transfers and tenodeses are often unavailable. To address these contractures, intensive hand therapy and a free functioning muscle transfer are required.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Evaluation of the severity of facial paralysis deformity and the effectiveness of reconstructive surgery requires a measurement tool that is practical and simple enough for daily use. It should be able to objectively measure facial asymmetry at rest and the amount of facial movement during expression. The authors present and assess a simple measurement technique that is readily usable in the clinic.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFunctioning free muscle transfer to the upper extremity is an extremely complex and difficult procedure. It is useful only in selected cases that require significant skeletal muscle replacement and fulfill stringent criteria. The operation itself is performed by means of a two-team approach.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: This study assesses the ability of the masseter motor nerve-innervated microneurovascular muscle transfer to produce an effective smile in adult patients with bilateral and unilateral facial paralysis.
Methods: The operation consists of a one-stage microneurovascular transfer of a portion of the gracilis muscle that is innervated with the masseter motor nerve. The muscle is inserted into the cheek and attached to the mouth to produce a smile.
Background: The microneurovascular transfer of a free muscle transplant is the procedure of choice for facial animation in a child with facial paralysis. One of the critical factors of this procedure is the selection of a motor nerve to innervate the transplanted muscle.
Methods: From 1989 to 1999, 166 free segmental gracilis muscle transfers were performed in 121 children for facial animation.
Plast Reconstr Surg
March 2005
Evaluation of facial movement, including distance and direction, is essential for anyone interested in facial paralysis reconstruction. The authors' goal was to develop a measurement system that is simple, uses commercially available equipment, takes little time, and provides meaningful and accurate measurements. This technique is called the facial reanimation measurement system.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: To carry out an analytic cross-sectional study of Ontario workers with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and to assess workers' symptoms, functional disabilities, recreational difficulties, and work capability 4 years after treatment of their CTS.
Methods: Data were obtained by review of Ontario Workers Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) files and by completion of self-assessment questionnaires. Inclusion criteria included all workers registered with the Ontario WSIB who were off work with newly diagnosed carpal tunnel syndrome in 1996.
Objective: Although motor system plasticity in response to neuromuscular injury has been documented, few studies have examined recovered and functioning muscles in the human. We examined brain changes in a group of patients who had a muscle transfer.
Methods: Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was used to study a unique group of 9 patients who had upper extremity motor function restored using microneurovascular transfer of the gracilis muscle.
Speech and communication are major problems for children with Moebius syndrome, a congenital anomaly that includes facial and abducens nerve paralysis and, often, other cranial nerve deficits. In addition, these children frequently have severe functional problems such as drooling as well as poor self-esteem. The purpose of this study was to investigate the outcome of speech with bilateral gracilis muscle transplants innervated by the masseteric nerve in children with Moebius syndrome.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe purpose of this study was to determine the important prognostic factors for recovery of tendon function as measured by total active movement (TAM) in patients undergoing digital replantation. More important, the authors wanted to establish which factors may be manipulated to maximize motion. A retrospective review of 48 patients (103 digital rays) who underwent replantation was performed.
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