Using the Deep Temporal Nerves Versus the Masseteric Nerve for Correction of Eyelid Paresis Caused by Facial Nerve Affection. A Comparative Clinical Study.

The return of eyelid function and facial expression in Patients with facial nerve affection is very important for quality of life. Eyelid dysfunction leads to drying and ulceration of cornea which may lead to permanent vision loss.

Facial paralysis is distinguished into two main groups according to the presence or absence of facial fibrillations at needle Electromyography. Recent paralysis, mainly lasting less than two years generally show these signs and are eligible for reactivation of facial nerve by anastomosing it to a donor one (early facial reanimation).

The masseteric nerve (motor branch of trigeminal nerve ) is a reliable donor nerve on early facial reanimation.

The deep temporal nerves are motor branches of trigeminal nerve which have some advantage over masseteric nerve as they are longer and reach the zygomatic and frontal branch of facial nerve and it can reach the eyelid and eyebrow to be used for direct neurotization and it supplies temporalis muscle which is an expandable muscle with little effect on mastication and it was reported that they can restore blinking.

So on this study we examine the advantages and disadvantages of both nerves to develop a protocol for use of both especially on eyelid reanimation and restoration of blinking on upper facial segment paresis