Double innervation in free-flap surgery for long-standing facial paralysis
F Biglioli, V Colombo, F Tarabbia, M Pedrazzoli… - Journal of plastic …, 2012 - Elsevier
OBJECTIVE: One-stage free-flap facial reanimation may be accomplished by using a gracilis
transfer innervated by the masseteric nerve, but this technique does not restore the patient's
ability to smile spontaneously. By contrast, the transfer of the latissimus dorsi innervated by
the contralateral facial nerve provides the correct nerve stimulus but is limited by variation in
the quantity of contraction. The authors propose a new one-stage facial reanimation
technique using dual innervation; a gracilis muscle flap is innervated by the masseteric …
transfer innervated by the masseteric nerve, but this technique does not restore the patient's
ability to smile spontaneously. By contrast, the transfer of the latissimus dorsi innervated by
the contralateral facial nerve provides the correct nerve stimulus but is limited by variation in
the quantity of contraction. The authors propose a new one-stage facial reanimation
technique using dual innervation; a gracilis muscle flap is innervated by the masseteric …