Salvage Procedures After Failed Facial Reanimation Surgery Using the Masseteric Nerve as the Motor Nerve for Free Functional Gracilis Muscle Transfer

摘要

IMPORTANCE Free muscle transfer innervated by a cross-facial nerve graft represents the criterion standard for smile reconstruction in facial paralysis. If primary reconstruction fails, a second muscle transfer is usually needed. Herein, we investigated the possibility of avoiding a second free muscle transfer by in situ coaptation of the gracilis muscle to the masseteric nerve.