Facial Paralysis Treatment

If you have facial paralysis, turn to the experts at UC San Diego Health for comprehensive care.

Our facial nerve team includes surgeons with expertise in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, neurotology and plastic surgery. We also have a dedicated team of physical therapists who work with facial paralysis patients.

Symptoms of Facial Paralysis

Facial paralysis is the loss of movement of the muscles controlling facial expression. Paralysis may affect one or both sides of the face, develop gradually or suddenly, and be temporary or permanent.

Common symptoms of facial paralysis include:

Difficulty closing the eyelids
Facial droop
Oral incompetence
Difficulties with speech and emotional expression
Facial spasms or involuntary muscle activation

Causes of Facial Paralysis

Bell's palsy
Facial nerve tumors and acoustic neuromas
Cancer of the parotid gland, brain, head or neck
Ramsay Hunt syndrome
Ear infections, ear disease or head trauma
Moebius and Goldenhar syndromes, as well as other inherited conditions
Neurofibromatosis and vascular malformations
Stroke
Surgical complications of head or neck surgery

Facial Reanimation and Reconstructive Surgery

We offer the following procedures:

Facial nerve exploration and microsurgical repair
Nerve transfers
Gracilis muscle transfer, both single or two-stage
Vascularized latissimus dorsi motor nerve free flap transfer
Temporalis tendon transfer
Static support (fascia lata static suspension)
Minimally invasive static support such as suture static suspension, brow lifts, eyelid weights, lower lid tightening, lip resection
Aesthetic surgery