Inveterated Facial Palsy Correction with Endoscopically Assisted Multiple Muscle Transposition and Lifts: The EMTL Procedure

Introduction The aim of the present analysis was to study the safety and efficacy associated with reanimation in facial nerve palsy by the endoscopically assisted multiple muscle transposition and lifts (EMTL). Patients and Methods The study sample included all patients who had undergone a facial reanimation by EMTL procedure from September 2015 to May 2019. The patients were analyzed retrospectively, with more than 1 year of follow-up, and were evaluated in terms of functional-aesthetic results and postoperative complications. The outcome was evaluated with the Sunnybrook scale. Results Fourteen patients were included in the present study. They were all inveterate palsies with minimum 4 years from the initial injury. The preoperative Sunnybrook score ranged from 0 to 5 and the postoperative ranged from 30 to 65. Spontaneous smile achievement was obtained in 10 patients and only mild restoration in one patient. The scar and static correction were satisfactory in all patients. Eye protection was improved in all cases with some form of active blinking in six cases. Conclusion This study showed that facial palsy correction with EMTL procedure offers a promising alternative treatment for patients with facial palsy not suitable for microsurgical muscle transposition.