Comparative analysis of the nerve transfer methodologies used during surgical treatment of peripheral facial paresis

Introduction. When considering the array of biomedical problems associated with facial nerve palsy (FNP), it is apparent that the problem of choosing an effective type of facial nerve transfer is of paramount relevance. Hence, it is to the pursuit of a solution to the above stated problem that our study is devoted.

Materials and methods. We analyzed the data obtained as a result of assessing the outcome of 149 patients with trauma-caused FNP who had undergone surgical treatments in the period between 2001-2018. The FN nerve transfer techniques utilized were as such: for group 1 – the use as a donor nerve the branch of the accessory nerve innervating the sternocleidomastoid muscle (n=87); group 2 – the descending branch of the hypoglossal and the branch of the accessory nerve (n=62).

Results. In groups 1–2, the FN nerve transfer significantly improved FN function (p <0.01; Wilcoxon Matched Pairs Test), and most patients (n=135; 90.6%) noted an improvement in the clinical status up to degree II-III on the House-Brackmann scale (good result).

Conclusion. The use of the accessory nerve branches to the sternocleidomastoid muscle, as donated, ensures restoration of FN function to levels II-III on the House-Brackmann scale in 89.7% of all operated patients, and the results it achieves do not differ from those of the technically more complex nerve transfer of FN by descending branch of the hypoglossal nerve with combination of branches of the accessory nerve.