Facial reanimation surgery

Need to know

• What happens during surgery? icon plus

  Surgery can involve having nerve grafts from other parts of the body to treat both nerve damage and the nerve itself, or cartilage grafts to support muscles.
  
  One procedure uses small tubes surgically implanted in the face to guide regrowth of the facial nerve. It's also possible to transfer a muscle from another part of the body (usually the leg or torso) into the paralysed side of the face. In the first stage of surgery, a nerve graft is taken from the opposite side of the face.
  
  Several months later, after the nerve endings have grown across the face, the second stage to transfer the muscle can be done.

• How to prepare icon plus

  Your consultant will let you know what surgery options are available to you. Your treatment will be tailored according to your needs, as there are a range of surgical operations available. Most people need several procedures to reverse the paralysis in their face.
  
  Your treatment will be tailored to your individual circumstances. Like all procedures, there may be some risks and side effects involved. Your consultant will explain these to you.
  
  If you're having a general anaesthetic, your consultant will let you know how long you should avoid eating and drinking before your operation.

• After surgery icon plus

  Your consultant will let you know how long your recovery will take. In general you may be off work for about two weeks and you should need at least one night in hospital following your operation but this depends on the surgery you have.