A Comparison of Temporalis Transfer and Free Latissimus Dorsi Transfer in Lower Facial Reanimation Following Unilateral Longstanding Facial Palsy

In Brief The ultimate goal in the treatment of facial palsy is the restoration of voluntary and spontaneous movement to the paralyzed side of the face, symmetrical to the normal side. We report our experience treating 40 patients with established facial palsy over a 4-year period. All patients underwent either temporalis transfer or free latissimus dorsi transfer as a single stage to improve lower facial symmetry. We believe that both techniques reliably achieve an increase of movement in facial reanimation after oncological, traumatic, or congenital facial palsy. Forty patients with established facial palsy were treated with temporalis transfer or free latissimus dorsi transfer for lower facial symmetry. Those treated with latissimus transfer were slightly superior in symmetry, muscle tone and expression.