Age-related outcomes of facial reanimation surgery using gracilis free functional muscle transfer innervated by the masseteric nerve: A retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUNDThe free functional muscle gracilis transfer is an established approach in facial reanimation surgery; however, the significance of its neurotization and the patient's age is still inconclusive. Several donor nerves are available for facial reanimation using the free functional gracilis muscle transfer. OBJECTIVEThis retrospective cohort study investigates whether the masseteric nerve is an equally reliable donor nerve in both older and younger patients. METHODSWe included 46 patients (13-71 years, male and female) who underwent nerve-to-masseter (NTM)-driven free functional muscle transfer (FFMT) between January 2008 and December 2019. Patients were distributed into three cohorts according to their age at surgery. We assessed the facial symmetry before and after surgery using the pupillo-modiolar angle. Commissure height and excursion deviation were measured with the Emotrics software. Patient-reported outcome measurements were taken using the Facial Clinimetric Examination (FaCE) scale. RESULTSAll patients had successful flap innervation, except for one patient in the middle-aged cohort (31-51 years). The postoperative facial symmetry at rest, smiling, and laughing was analyzed with the pupillo-modiolar angle and the Emotrics software and showed similar results between all cohorts. The FaCE scale showed similar scores for the middle-aged (31-51 years) cohort and the senior cohort (52-71 years). The social function score in the senior cohort was higher than in the middle-aged cohort, without statistical significance. One patient in the middle-aged (31-51 years) cohort and the senior cohort (52-71 years), respectively, underwent emergency revision due to impaired flap perfusion and could be salvaged. CONCLUSIONSNTM-driven FFMT for facial reanimation is a safe and reliable procedure across all age groups of patients.