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CC BY 4.0 · J Neurol Surg B Skull Base 2024; 85(05): 546-552
DOI: 10.1055/a-2128-5191
Original Article

Reestablishment of the Smile after Hypoglossal–Facial Nerve Transfer: What Can We Learn?

M.C. Kleijwegt 
1   ENT Department, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
,
C. Wever
1   ENT Department, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
,
E.F. Hensen
1   ENT Department, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
,
J.C. Jansen
1   ENT Department, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
,
R.W. Koot
2   Neurosurgery Department, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
,
M.J.A. Malessy
2   Neurosurgery Department, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to assess the ability to smile following a hypoglossal–facial nerve transfer (N12–N7).

Design This is a retrospective chart review.

Setting National tertiary referral center for skull base pathology.

Participants Seventeen patients.

Main Outcome Measures The ability to smile following an N12–N7 transfer was assessed by five medical doctors on photographs of the whole face and frontal, orbital, and oral segments. The (segmented) photographs were scored for the symmetry, asymmetry, and correct or incorrect assessment of the affected side.

Results Seventeen patients were analyzed by 5 assessors providing 85 assessments. The whole face at rest was judged symmetrical in 26% of the cases and mildly asymmetrical in 56%. Frontal, orbital, and oral segments were symmetrical in 63, 20, and 35%, respectively. The affected side was correctly identified in 76%. When smiling, the whole face was symmetrical in 6% and mildly asymmetric in 59%. The affected side was correctly identified in 94%. The frontal, orbital, and oral segments during smiling were symmetrical in 67, 15, and 6%, respectively. The affected side of the frontal, orbital, and buccal facial segments during smiling was correctly identified in 89, 89, and 96%, respectively. Interobserver variability with Fleiss' kappa analysis showed that the strength of the agreement during smile of the total face was good (0.771)

Conclusion Following an N12–N7 transfer, a good facial symmetry at rest can be achieved. During smiling, almost all patients showed asymmetry of the face, which was predominantly determined by the orbital and oral segments. To improve the ability to smile after an N12–N7 transfer, additional procedures are needed.

Keywords

vestibular schwannoma - facial reconstruction - hypoglossal - nerve transfers - facial schwannoma


Publication History

Received: 12 November 2022

Accepted: 05 July 2023

Accepted Manuscript online:
13 July 2023

Article published online:
11 August 2023

© 2023. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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