[Our technique of hetero-lateral facio-facial anastomosis by means of nerve autografting in the treatment of permanent peripheral facial paralysis].
The authors describe the technique used in 12 surgical cases of heterolateral facio-facial anastomosis by nerve autograft in the treatment of permanent peripheral facial paralyses. Their main contention is that section of 50 p. 100 of the neurones of the peripheral branches of the facial nerve on the unaffected side does not impair motricity to any extent and that it therefore is possible to anastomose the proximal portion of some healthy branches to the corresponding distal portion of the affected side by placing between them a graft from the external saphenous nerve. The principles for fascicular suture as defined by Seddon and later by Millesi are followed. The technique differs from that made popular by Smith and later by Smii inasmuch as: --the bilateral, hidden face-lift incision makes possible a final passive musculotegumentary suspension of the paralysed side immediately improving the patient's appearance while the nerve re-establishes itself; --retrograde interfascicular dissection on the paralysed side allows precious centimetres to be gained; --pinpointing of the nerve suture area is possible by the placing of a silicone-coated ring with a clip some distance away.