Premium
Refinements in nasolabial fold reconstruction for facial paralysis
Author(s) -
Bhama Prabhat K.,
Park Jong G.,
Shanley Kerry,
Hadlock Tessa A.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1002/lary.24843
Subject(s) - medicine , nasolabial fold , facial paralysis , drooling , synkinesis , facial symmetry , paralysis , demographics , facial nerve , surgery , palsy , alternative medicine , demography , pathology , sociology
Objectives/Hypothesis The objective of this study was to describe a methodology for creation of a nasolabial fold in patients with facial paralysis and to report patient‐reported outcome measures following this procedure. Study Design Retrospective case series. Methods All patients who underwent nasolabial fold modification at our institution since July 2010 were included in our analysis. Patient demographics and characteristics of their facial paralysis were noted. Preoperative Facial Clinimetric Evaluation scores were compared with postoperative scores to quantify outcomes. Pre‐ and postoperative photos were then presented to an observer for ratings of overall midfacial appearance. Results Thirty‐one patients were included in the review. Most of the patients were male. The average onset of paralysis was 50 years, and the average age at time of surgery was 61 years. The majority of patients had flaccid paralysis, with 10% of patients having synkinesis. Most patients presented with complaints of oral incompetence or drooling and generalized facial asymmetry. Facial Clinimetric Evaluation scores ( P < .004) and overall midfacial appearance ( P < .05) improved significantly following surgery. Conclusions The nasolabial fold is an important aesthetic component of the face commonly affected in patients with facial paralysis. We demonstrate quantitative improvement in quality of life scores and aesthetic appearance following nasolabial fold refinement and describe the procedure in depth. Level of Evidence 4. Laryngoscope , 124:2687–2692, 2014