Facial Paralysis
FACIAL PARALYSIS OR PALSY IS THE CONDITION WHICH RESULTS WHEN THE SEVENTH CRANIAL NERVE IS DAMAGED OR FAILS TO DEVELOP.
Facial Paralysis or Palsy is the condition which results when the seventh cranial nerve is damaged or fails to develop. This results in paralysis or weakness of the facial muscles, causing a facial droop and loss of facial expression.
There is a significant difference between the facial nerve and most nerves in the body. Most nerves move one muscle at a time, whereas the facial nerve is responsible for every muscle involved in a facial expression. So, the main difference between the facial nerve and the nerves in the rest of the body is that the facial nerve acts like a group of nerves coordinating facial movements.
If the facial nerve doesn’t develop or becomes injured it can result in the inability to convey facial expressions. The inability to make facial expression is not just a cosmetic issue but can open the door for a plethora of health problems, for example:
If the eye is not protected by the normal blinking movements it can result in drying, ulceration and even potential blindness.
Another example: if the muscles around the mouth are paralysed, it can make eating and speaking difficult. There is a long list of problems associated with facial paralysis and the list of causes is almost as long.
Some of the causes of facial paralysis:
- Congenital
- Bell’s Palsy
- Trauma
- Result of surgery to remove brain or face tumour
Treating Facial Paralysis
At Coastal Plastic Surgery we understand the debilitating nature of facial paralysis. Dr Gazi Hussain is a leader in facial paralysis/palsy surgery so you know you’re in good hands.
To be able to treat facial paralysis requires a master of reconstructive surgery, microsurgery and cosmetic surgery. There are surgical techniques to protect the eye, specific surgery to repair, transfer transplant nerves and occasionally surgery to transplant muscle to the face from other parts of the body. There are also a number of cosmetic surgery procedures such as browlifts, facelifts and anti-wrinkle injections.
Unfortunately, not one operation or treatment will fix all of the problems associated with facial palsy but our friendly Surgeons will discuss all the options available to you and arrange a custom treatment plan that will benefit you the most.