Pre-Operative Factors May Predict Outcome in Selective Neurectomy for Synkinesis

Facial Plast Surg Aesthet Med. 2024 Mar-Apr;26(2):166-171. doi: 10.1089/fpsam.2022.0412. Epub 2023 Sep 22.

Abstract

Background: While there has been great interest in offering selective neurectomy (SN) to patients with nonflaccid facial palsy (NFFP), postoperative outcomes are inconsistent. Objective: To assess overall SN outcome in NFFP patients and to examine correlation between preoperative factors and SN outcome. Methods: SN cases were retrospectively identified between 2019 and 2021. Patient factors and facial function were assessed using chart review, the Facial Clinimetric Evaluation (FaCE), the electronic clinician-graded facial function tool (eFACE), and an automated computer-aided facial assessment tool (Emotrics). Correlations between preoperative factors and patients outcome were established. Results: Fifty-eight SN cases were performed; 88% were females, and median age was 53 years (range 11-81). Outcome assessment was 8 months on average (1-24 months). Postoperatively, multiple eFACE and Emotrics parameters improved significantly, including ocular, perioral, and synkinesis metrics. In preoperative factors assessment, age >50, facial palsy (FP) duration >2 years, poor preoperative facial function, and nontrauma etiology all correlated with greater improvements compared with younger patients, those with shorter duration facial palsy, trauma etiology, and better preoperative facial function. Conclusions: SN can significantly improve facial function; we have identified several preoperative factors that correlated to outcome.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Denervation
  • Face
  • Facial Paralysis* / surgery
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Synkinesis* / surgery
  • Young Adult