Facial Nerve Injury and its Neurosurgical Reanimation

The facial Paralysis, also known as a facial nerve palsy, is the inability to move muscles which control facial expressions, viz, blinking, smiling, etc. Facial nerve takes origin from the brainstem, passes through the pontomedullary cistern, the internal acoustic meatus, and the facial canal. It comes out of the skull through the stylomastoid foramen to supply the muscles of facial expression. The facial palsy is common and caused by various factors including stroke, tumor, infections or trauma. The surgical facial reanimation is needed when facial paralysis is chronic and no likelihood of spontaneous recovery. This is often done 12 months of paralysis after proper investigation. The purpose of facial reanimation is to restore the facial movements and symmetry in individuals with facial paralysis so that he/she can have a natural smile and facial expression.