ABSTRACT
Over the past few decades, surgeons have come to appreciate the severe social and functional impacts of facial paralysis. As a consequence, various surgical techniques have been devised to preserve or restore facial nerve function whenever possible. In terms of function, facial paralysis interferes with facial movement and eye closure. It also contributes to difficulty with chewing, speech, and swallowing. Facial paralysis can also be psychologically and emotionally devastating. Proper prevention and management of facial paralysis require a thorough understanding of facial nerve anatomy, physiology, as well as available medical and surgical treatment modalities. A full understanding of all considerations relating to the facial nerve is not easy. The long course of facial nerve places it in the surgical fields of surgeons from a variety of disciplines, including: head and neck surgery; neurosurgery; otology and neurotology; skull base surgery; facial cosmetic and reconstructive surgery; craniofacial, maxillofacial, and oral surgery. This chapter reviews, from a surgeon’s perspective, the various anatomical, physiological, surgical, and reconstructive considerations pertaining to the facial nerve.
