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Facial paralysis treatment hailed | Facial paralysis treatment hailed |
(about 3 hours later) | |
US surgeons have announced they have succeeded in partially re-animating the faces of patients with severe long-term facial paralysis using a new technique. | US surgeons have announced they have succeeded in partially re-animating the faces of patients with severe long-term facial paralysis using a new technique. |
The new procedure, which involves the transfer of tendons within the face, has been performed on 15 patients. | The new procedure, which involves the transfer of tendons within the face, has been performed on 15 patients. |
Those affected by facial paralysis often lose voluntary movement of muscles on one side of their face. | Those affected by facial paralysis often lose voluntary movement of muscles on one side of their face. |
The Johns Hopkins University surgeons believe their system marks significant progress in treating the condition. | The Johns Hopkins University surgeons believe their system marks significant progress in treating the condition. |
They claim it is simpler, more effective and the surgery less traumatic than traditional methods. | They claim it is simpler, more effective and the surgery less traumatic than traditional methods. |
'Immediate effect' | 'Immediate effect' |
Facial paralysis can have many causes - from trauma caused by an accident to tumours to strokes. | Facial paralysis can have many causes - from trauma caused by an accident to tumours to strokes. |
The result is not only deformity, but also often severe speech problems. | The result is not only deformity, but also often severe speech problems. |
When tackled early, various operative techniques such as nerve grafts can now be used to restore movement. | When tackled early, various operative techniques such as nerve grafts can now be used to restore movement. |
This particular technique address two aspects... the one being improving facial symmetry, the other being the return of a smile Dr Patrick J ByrneJohns Hopkins University | |
However, surgery has been less successful on those with long-term paralysis, and it is in this area that surgeons at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine say they have made significant progress. | |
The new surgical technique, called temporalis tendon transfer, sounds gruesome. | The new surgical technique, called temporalis tendon transfer, sounds gruesome. |
A major muscle on the side of the head is severed at the point it joins the jawbone and stretched across the head to attach with mouth muscles, before a relating tendon is then also stretched and reconfigured. | A major muscle on the side of the head is severed at the point it joins the jawbone and stretched across the head to attach with mouth muscles, before a relating tendon is then also stretched and reconfigured. |
The lead surgeon, Dr Patrick J Byrne, says the results in the 15 patients who have so far undergone the procedure, have been deemed good to excellent, with facial symmetry and speech improved with immediate effect. | The lead surgeon, Dr Patrick J Byrne, says the results in the 15 patients who have so far undergone the procedure, have been deemed good to excellent, with facial symmetry and speech improved with immediate effect. |
"This particular technique address two aspects... the one being improving facial symmetry, the other being the return of a smile," he says. | "This particular technique address two aspects... the one being improving facial symmetry, the other being the return of a smile," he says. |
"When we tighten the muscle around the mouth and along the cheek, we find it helps not only with oral competence - their ability to control their mouth - but it also helps with their speech - they have less of the air escape - they're able to generate better articulation." | "When we tighten the muscle around the mouth and along the cheek, we find it helps not only with oral competence - their ability to control their mouth - but it also helps with their speech - they have less of the air escape - they're able to generate better articulation." |
Dr Byrne claims the technique is simpler, more effective and the surgery less traumatic than the temporalis sling technique which has been traditionally offered in the past to patients with long-term facial paralysis. | Dr Byrne claims the technique is simpler, more effective and the surgery less traumatic than the temporalis sling technique which has been traditionally offered in the past to patients with long-term facial paralysis. |
He is also claiming the results of surgery will be easier to predict than with other methods used to date. | He is also claiming the results of surgery will be easier to predict than with other methods used to date. |
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