Facial nerve paralysis: A review on the evolution of implantable prosthesis in restoring dynamic eye closure

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Facial nerve paralysis: A review on the evolution of implantable prosthesis in restoring dynamic eye closure Via Journal of plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery : JPRAS J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2021 Sep 20:S1748-6815(21)00426-5. doi: 10.1016/j.bjps.2021.08.039. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT Facial nerve paralysis (FNP) is a debilitating condition that leaves those affected with disfigurement and loss of function. The most important function of the facial nerve is protecting the eye through eye closure and blinking. A series of reanimation techniques have been reported to restore dynamic function in FNP, but the lack of a universally accepted method that is reliable and reproducible with immediate effect has led to the introduction of several implantable devices. Most of these devices have been applied to assist blinking; however, the delicate anatomy and unique mechanics of eye closure are difficult to replicate. Lid loading is the most frequently used implant today, which is a passive device that can aid in volitional eye closure but has a limited effect on blinking. Dynamic action can be ach ieved with active prostheses but achieving successful long-term function remains elusive. Device action must also be coupled with a real-time feedback mechanism in order to capture the natural variation in facial muscle movements. This review discusses all prostheses used for restoring eye closure and blinking to date and explores their relative merits. PMID:34635457 | DOI:10.1016/j.bjps.2021.08.039 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.