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Facial nerve paralysis induced by acute traumatic facial nerve injuries limited to the zygomatic and buccal branches shows unique complications, such as strong co-contractions of the lower facial muscles around the lips during voluntary blinking (ocular-oral synkinesis). We investigated the characteristics of facial complications after facial nerve injury in the mid-face area and reported the treatment results. A total of 21 patients with facial nerve injuries to the zygomatic and/or buccal branches were evaluated for the degree of facial synkinesis and mouth asymmetry. Patients with mild-to-moderate symptoms were treated using physical rehabilitation therapy combined with botulinum toxin (Botox) injection, and patients with severe or uncontrolled symptoms were treated using surgical therapy. Initial/final mean synkinesis scores and mouth asymmetry degrees were 2.17/1.75 and 0.85/0.66 in the physical therapy group and 3.11/0.78 and 2.41/−0.31 in the surgery group, respectively. Physical therapy with Botox injection alone did not show significant improvements in synkinetic symptoms of the patients with mild-to-moderate synkinesis (p > 0.05), whereas surgical therapy resulted in significant improvements in synkinesis and mouth asymmetry (p < 0.05). Surgical treatment is an effective adjustment procedure for the management of facial complications in patients with severe or uncontrolled synkinesis after facial nerve injury to the mid-face area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Facial palsy (FP) is one of the most common neuropathies. Overall, 15%-30% of patients develop chronic sequelae. Several studies support the use of botulinum toxin A (BoNT-A) in the treatment of FP sequelae. No studies have analyzed the cost of treating FP with BoNT-A. A retrospective review of data from all clinical records of consultations and procedures that took place at the FP Treatment Unit clinic throughout 2017. Type of BoNT-A used, total dose used, unilateral or bilateral injection, date of consultation, and gender were collected. The price of expendable materials, BoNT-A, and the 2017 salary scale was obtained to establish costs. During 2017, 605 clinical procedures were conducted in 240 patients. The mean number of procedures was 2.5 (0.80). The average time between procedures was 124(28.72) days. The total annual cost was 34.155,10€. The average annual cost of BoNT-A for each procedure was 39,93€, and the total annual cost of BoNT-A was 24.160,58€. On average, more units of IncotoxA were injected. This difference is not reflected in the final cost of each BoNT-A. For patients who achieved treatment stability, the average annual cost per patient was 106,6€ (OnatoxA) and 100,6€ (IncotoxA). In our unit, treatment with BoNT-A in FP sequelae had an average annual cost of 124,31€ per patient, requiring a visit to the hospital to receive treatment every 124 days. Given the functional and quality of life improvements, we should consider that it is a beneficial treatment at an acceptable cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Botulinum toxin (BT-A) chemodenervation has been proved to significantly improve the physical and psychological well-being of patients suffering from facial synkinesis. Despite this, a cohort of patients has persistent tightness and discomfort around the angle of the jaw, which may be caused by synkinesis within the posterior belly of digastric (PBD) muscle. This study was designed to evaluate the benefits of ultrasound-guided BT-A injections into the PBD. Thirty-three patients with recalcitrant tightness and discomfort around the angle of the jaw, despite maximal facial therapy and platysmal chemodenervation were selected for inclusion. Patients underwent ultrasound-guided BT-A injection into the ipsilateral PBD muscle (skin puncture site 1 cm inferior and posterior to the angle of mandible). Outcomes consisted of the Facial Disability Index (FDI), Synkinesis Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ), and a visual analogue scale (VAS) designed to assess tightness and pain around the PBD when moving the jaw, swallowing, and masticating. Questionnaires were completed two weeks before and postinjection. Statistical analysis was performed using a paired t-test. Nineteen patients completed the post-treatment outcome questionnaire. A statistically significant improvement was noted in the physical and social function aspects of the FDI and all aspects of the patient-reported VAS scores apart from tightness and pain on jaw retrusion and swallowing. There was no significant difference in the SAQ. This study has demonstrated the patient-perceived benefit of ultrasound-targeted BT-A chemodenervation of PBD. This represents a low-risk treatment option that can be easily added to the repertoire of treatments offered to patients with post paralysis facial synkinesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Weakness and synkinesis (involuntary cocontraction of different muscle groups) are common sequelae after facial nerve injury. We describe a rabbit model of facial nerve axotomy and repair, which can be used to study such sequelae and propose a grading tool to assess the facial movement outcomes. Using this rabbit model, we assess the effect of delaying facial nerve repair on the quality of the clinical result. A total of 15 rabbits (30 facial halves) were divided into 4 groups: control, facial nerve main trunk axotomy and immediate repair, axotomy and repair at 2.5 weeks as well as axotomy, and repair at 2 months. Functional recovery was graded according to the observable criteria. We performed retrograde fluorescence labelling of the distal facial nerve branches and assessed the distribution of tracers in the facial nucleus. A consistent model of weakness and synkinesis was produced in all rabbits after immediate axotomy and repair. A grading tool was used to clinically grade the quality of the recovery. The somatotopy of the facial nucleus was disrupted, with axons projecting from the facial nucleus to incorrect facial muscle groups. Varying the denervation time before repair affected the quality of the recovery. The worst result was noted when repair was delayed for 2 months. Subtle changes in the pattern and severity of synkinesis was noted among the different treatment groups. A slight delay in nerve repair by 2.5 weeks as well as contralateral facial paralysis (analogous to botulinum toxin (BTX) injection) appear to improve eye recovery and reduce synkinesis. Because of the large size of the rabbit, such variability in synkinesis severity can be graded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gold standard reconstruction for facial reanimation is the functional muscle transfer. The reinnervation of a muscle is never complete, and clinical results are variable with 20% not achieving a satisfactory outcome. We hypothesise that this may be due to a mismatch between the characteristics of the donor nerve and transferred muscle. 81 YFP-16 and 14 YFP-H mice were studied in three intervention groups over three time periods. Two parameters were investigated: the number and surface area of reinnervated neuromuscular junctions and regenerating axons. An assessment was made of motor unit proportions. All cases of nerve repair and nerve graft, the neuromuscular junctions (NMJ) were completely reinnervated by regenerating axons. The number and calibre of the regenerating axons were significantly different from controls for both intervention groups. The motor units were smaller in both intervention groups. Reinnervation occurs after nerve repair or graft; however, the arbour was reinnervated by large numbers of much smaller axons. These axons showed some evidence of remodelling in the repair group, but not in the graft group. Neither group achieved the parameters of the control group. There were persistent qualitative changes to the morphology of both axons and junctions. Imaging documented both synkinesis and alterations that resemble those seen in ageing. Overall, the efficacy of reinnervation is very high with all NMJ reoccupied by regenerating axons. The way small axons are remodelled is different in the nerve repairs compared with the nerve grafts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synkinesis is a negative sequela of facial nerve recovery. Despite the need for effective treatment, controversy exists regarding optimal management and outcome reporting measures. The goals of this study were to evaluate the current synkinesis literature and compare the effectiveness of treatment modalities. A search of biomedical databases was performed in May 2019. Full-text English language articles of cohort studies or randomized controlled trials on synkinesis treatment were eligible for inclusion. Reviews, animal studies, and those without assessment of treatment effect were excluded. We found 592 unique citations; 33 articles were included in the final analyses. Nine studies focused on botulinum toxin (BTX-A), 7 on surgery, 5 on physical therapy (PT), and 12 on multimodal therapy. The Sunnybrook Facial Grading System was the most frequently used outcome measure (17 studies, 51.5%). All treatment modalities improved outcomes. Chemodenervation studies showed an average improvement of 17.8% (range 11–33.3%) in the respective outcome measures after treatment. PT improved by 29.7% (range 14.6–41.2%), surgery by 16.6% (range 4.7–41%), and combination therapy by 20.4% (range 5.13–37.5%). Only 21 studies (63.6%) provided data on adverse outcomes. There is lack of high-evidence level data for robust comparisons of postparetic synkinesis treatments; however, this condition is likely effectively treated nonsurgically and requires the support of a specialized multidisciplinary team. Adoption of standardized patient evaluation and outcome reporting methods is necessary for robust comparative effectiveness studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Facial synkinesis is characterised by abnormal and unintentional co-contractions of facial muscles caused by aberrant facial nerve healing, usually as a sequalae of facial palsy. The aim of this project is to propose a consensus for reporting this condition in the literature to facilitate the conduction of primary and secondary evidence studies, considering that no previous research has inquired in to this matter. Methods: A systematic literature search was performed in MEDLINE and EMBASE databases, considering all the published articles on facial synkinesis. Studies that used a particular measuring system for this condition were included. Two authors independently assessed these articles focusing on the grading instruments utilised. The most commonly used instruments were analysed, and their basic components were incorporated in a modified Delphi survey, which was sent to a panel of experts. Results: The systematic literature search retrieved 502 articles, of which 159 met the inclusion criteria. The two most commonly mentioned instruments were the House–Brackmann Scale and the Sunnybrook Facial Grading System. These were then followed by the Yanagihara scale, the Synkinesis Assessment Questionnaire, the eFace system and the Facial Clinimetric Evaluation. The modified Delphi study concluded that an ideal grading system for facial synkinesis should not only include a clinician-based evaluation of symmetry and signs of synkinesis, but also patient-reported symptoms. Conclusions: Considering the characteristics of the studies found in the literature, the Sunnybrook Facial Grading System fits best with the ideal synkinesis measuring instrument described by the panel of experts. However, in order to satisfy the need to include patient-reported outcomes, the use of the Facial Clinimetric Evaluation as an adjunct to the Sunnybrook Facial Grading System is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary This study aimed to provide reliable and valid evidence that botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) is a successful treatment for facial synkinesis in facial palsy by using the synkinesis assessment questionnaire (SAQ) tool. Fifty-one patients completed questionnaires pre- and post-BTX-A treatment over 103 cycles of treatment. Each patient was individually assessed and then treated according to their presenting symptoms with a dosage in each injection site of between 0.5 and 5 U of BTX-A. A two-tailed paired samples t-test was used to compare the scores for each question before and after treatment. A significant difference was found between all scores before and after treatment at the level of p < 0.05. There was not only an improvement in the mean score in the post-treatment group but also a smaller spread of scores in the post-treatment group than in the pre-treatment group. The study showed that SAQ scores decreased significantly for every question on the SAQ after treatment. This indicates that BTX-A is an effective treatment for synkinesis, adding further weight to current evidence. The study also indicated that BTX-A continues to be effective even after three rounds of treatment, with a significant decrease in overall scores after each treatment cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Background Facial palsy may be complicated by ipsilateral synkinesis or contralateral hyperkinesis. Botulinum toxin is increasingly used in the management of facial palsy; however, the optimum dose, treatment interval, adjunct therapy and performance as compared with alternative treatments have not been well established. This study aimed to systematically review the evidence for the use of botulinum toxin in facial palsy. Method The Cochrane central register of controlled trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE(R) (1946 to September 2015) and Embase Classic + Embase (1947 to September 2015) were searched for randomised studies using botulinum toxin in facial palsy. Results Forty-seven studies were identified, and three included. Their physical and patient-reported outcomes are described, and observations and cautions are discussed. Discussion Facial asymmetry has a strong correlation to subjective domains such as impairment in social interaction and perception of self-image and appearance. Botulinum toxin injections represent a minimally invasive technique that is helpful in restoring facial symmetry at rest and during movement in chronic, and potentially acute, facial palsy. Botulinum toxin in combination with physical therapy may be particularly helpful. Currently, there is a paucity of data; areas for further research are suggested. A strong body of evidence may allow botulinum toxin treatment to be nationally standardised and recommended in the management of facial palsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Introduction Botulinum toxin injections are an effective, well-established treatment to manage synkinesis secondary to chronic facial palsy, but they entail painful injections at multiple sites on the face up to four times per year. Cutaneous cooling has long been recognised to provide an analgesic effect for cutaneous procedures, but evidence to date has been anecdotal or weak. This randomised controlled trial aims to assess the analgesic efficacy of cutaneous cooling using a cold gel pack versus a room-temperature Control. Material and methods The analgesic efficacy of a 1-min application of a Treatment cold (3–5 °C) gel pack versus a Control (room-temperature (20 °C)) gel pack prior to botulinum toxin injection into the platysma was assessed via visual analogue scale (VAS) ratings of pain before, during and after the procedure. Results Thirty-five patients received both trial arms during two separate clinic appointments. Cold gel packs provided a statistically significant reduction in pain compared with a room-temperature Control (from 26.4- to 10.2-mm VAS improvement ( p < 0.001)), with no variance noted secondary to age, the hemi-facial side injected or the order in which the Treatment or Control gel packs were applied. Conclusion Cryoanalgesia using a fridge-cooled gel pack provides an effective, safe and cheap method for reducing pain at the botulinum toxin injection site in patients with facial palsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Background Facial synkinesis is a distressing consequence of incomplete recovery from facial paralysis. The author presents selective orbicularis neuromyectomy as an alternative surgical treatment for periocular synkinesis. Methods Eleven patients (eight women and three men; mean age: 67 years; range: 50–77 years) with postparetic facial synkinesis underwent selective orbicularis neuromyectomy at our hospital between March 2010 and December 2013. All 11 patients exhibited ocular hypertonicity and synkinetic eye closure during voluntary oral movements. The causes of the subjects' facial palsy were as follows: Bell's palsy, seven cases; Hunt's syndrome, two cases; and brain tumor resection, two cases. The patients' preoperative and postoperative facial function levels were evaluated using the Sunnybrook scale. Results The mean duration of the follow-up period was 37 months (range: 12–57 months). During follow-up, all 11 patients showed decreasing ocular hypertonicity and less marked synkinetic ocular movements. The subjects' mean synkinesis score fell by 4.5 points (48%). One patient demonstrated lower lid ectropion at 1 postoperative month, which was repaired secondarily. No other postoperative complications occurred. Conclusions Selective orbicularis neuromyectomy is simple and effective for patients who exhibit periocular synkinesis after facial paralysis, and it should be considered as an alternative treatment for periocular synkinesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Synkinetic movements comprise abnormal involuntary contractions of one or more facial muscle groups which follow the desired contraction of another facial muscle group. They are frequently encountered in patients with long standing facial paralysis and seriously affect their psychological status due to the impairment of their facial appearance, function and emotional expressivity. Patients and methods: Eleven pediatric patients (2 male and 9 female) presenting with post-facial paralysis synkinesis were included in the study. Mean age was 10.3 ± 4 years and mean denervation time 72.5 months. Results: Patients underwent the following types of treatment: - Cross facial nerve grafting (CFNG) and secondary microcoaptations with botulinum toxin injection which had an improvement of 100% (3 in the 3 grade synkinesis scale) (n = 2). - Cross facial nerve grafting (CFNG) and secondary microcoaptations without botulinum toxin injection which had an improvement of 66%(2 in the 3 grade synkinesis scale) (n = 5). - CFNG and direct muscle neurotization with (n = 2) or without (n = 1) botulinum toxin injection where the improvement was 33%. - Contralateral nasalis muscle myectomy was performed in one patient along with CFNG and secondary microcoaptations which resulted in 66% synkinesis improvement. Biofeedback was invariably undertaken by all patients. Postoperative improvement in eye closure and smile was also noted in the respective cases treated for synkinesis ranging from 25 to 50%, with all patients achieving optimum functional return. Conclusion: CFNG with secondary microcoaptations and botulinum toxin injections was found to be a very efficient surgical modality addressing post-facial palsy synkinesis with high improvement in facial function and symmetry. Facial neuromuscular re-education contributes considerably in the treatment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Facial synkinesis (or synkinesia) (FS) occurs frequently after paresis or paralysis of the facial nerve and is in most cases due to aberrant regeneration of (branches of) the facial nerve. Patients suffer from inappropriate and involuntary synchronous facial muscle contractions. Here we describe two cases of sound-induced facial synkinesis (SFS) after facial nerve injury. As far as we know, this phenomenon has not been described in the English literature before. Patient A presented with right hemifacial palsy after lesion of the facial nerve due to skull base fracture. He reported involuntary muscle activity at the right corner of the mouth, specifically on hearing ringing keys. Patient B suffered from left hemifacial palsy following otitis media and developed involuntary muscle contraction in the facial musculature specifically on hearing clapping hands or a trumpet sound. Both patients were evaluated by means of video, audio and EMG analysis. Possible mechanisms in the pathophysiology of SFS are postulated and therapeutic options are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Background: Double innervation of facial mimetic muscles by both facial and hypoglossal nerves after end-to-side neurorrhaphy has not been proven, although facial –hypoglossal end-to-side neurorrhaphy has been used in persistent incomplete facial palsy recently, and has achieved clinical evidences of recovery with rare synkinesis. We established a rat model to compare synkinesis after end-to-end and end-to-side neurorrhaphy techniques between facial and hypoglossal nerves, and confirmed double innervation using retrograde tracers. Methods: Rats were divided into three groups (each consisting of six rats), a facial palsy group (Group A), a facial-hypoglossal end-to-end neurorrhaphy group (Group B), and a facial-hypoglossal end-to-side neurorrhaphy group (Group C). Eight weeks after surgery, synkinesis of the facial mimetic muscles was observed and recorded via video camera. In Group C, post operative, intramuscular injections of retrograde neural tracers (Fast Blue, Diamidino Yellow and DiI) into the facial mimetic muscles were performed to prove double innnervation by both the facial and hypoglossal nerves. Results: In Group B, all rats showed facial palsy. However while eating and drinking, their half of the face showed mass movements (strong contraction of whisker pad muscles, curved nose and eye-closure). In Group C, four rats showed no significant changes however, two rats showed synkinesis of the eyelid while eating and drinking (frequent eye-closure distinguishable from the contralateral normal side). In Group C, retrograde tracers injected in the mimetic muscles were detected in both the facial and hypoglossal motor nuclei in situ of all the rats'' brain stem. Conclusion: This study proved that double innervation of mimetic muscles by both facial and hypoglossal nerves occurs after the end-to-side neurorrhaphy. Double-innervated mimetic muscles around the mouth after hypoglossal-facial end-to-side neurorrhaphy showed less synkinesis than the end-to-end neurorrhaphy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]