A facegram for spatial-temporal analysis of facial excursion: applicability in the microsurgical reanimation of long-standing paralysis and pretransplantation.

Background: There are several techniques available for facial reanimation, but clinicians do not have a simple tool to provide an objective and quantitative spatial-temporal analysis of facial movement in order to compare medical, surgical and physical therapy.

Methods: We developed specialized software capable of simultaneously tracking the position over time of a number of anatomical points. This method was tested in 5 different clinical situations: one normal subject, and 4 patients with facial disfigurement.

Results: A large amount of quantitative information can be extracted directly, such as symmetry assessment in the contraction and relaxation trajectories. The fact that this plot is on scale allows also direct measurements such as maximal extensions. Even smiles that at the macro-scale are essentially symmetrical show at the micro-scale small asymmetries/variability.

Conclusion: In this paper, we describe a novel quantitative, reliable method, which accurately assesses the fundamental aspects of the facial excursion, incorporating spatial and temporal components.