Rehabilitation and functional recovery after masseteric-facial nerve XXXX .

@entity1 @entity254 @entity31474 @entity3541 @entity717
BACKGROUND: After masseteric-facial nerve (V-VII) @entity254 , a new neurological circuit oversees the facial muscles and @entity1 should learn to activate the facial movements using the masseteric function. AIM: To monitor the rehabilitative protocol of facial muscles activation through teeth @entity31474 and to assess the clinical evolution after V-VII @entity254 in terms of facial symmetry and functional recovery. DESIGN: Case series. SETTING: Outpatients clinic. POPULATION: Eleven @entity1 undergone V-VII @entity254 for complete unilateral @entity3541 . METHODS: After surgery, @entity1 underwent a needle electromyography (EMG) and a rehabilitative training with mirror feedback to learn how to reach the symmetry at rest and during facial movements through teeth @entity31474 . The rehabilitative protocol at the first clinical evaluation has been monitored through the Italian version of Sunnybrook Facial Grading System (SFGS) and the Software Facial Assessment by Computer Evaluation (FACE). Functional limitations and quality of life have been evaluated using the Italian version of @entity717 Index (FDI). The clinical evolution at 18 months was evaluated with EMG, SFGS, biting evaluation and FDI. RESULTS: At the first clinical evaluation after reinnervation, through teeth @entity31474 @entity1 displayed an improvement of symmetry at rest, symmetry of @entity717 , symmetry of smile and composite score of SFGS. Objective measurement of facial structures with FACE system demonstrated an improvement of symmetry at rest and during smile through teeth @entity31474 . At 18 months @entity1 displayed a good reinnervation with a further improvement of SFGS scores and @entity717 . No biting deficit has been observed. CONCLUSIONS: After V-VII @entity254 , at the first rehabilitative visit, @entity1 learn to activate the reinnervated facial muscles through teeth @entity31474 . Eighteen months after the @entity254 , @entity1 display a further improvement of voluntary control on facial symmetry and smile and a @entity717 . CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: Our study illustrates the rehabilitative protocol after V-VII @entity254 and analyzes the clinical evolution after this intervention in terms of recovery of facial symmetry and @entity717 . This will be instrumental to standardize the rehabilitative protocol among different centers and to choose the best @entity1 -tailored surgical approach for subjects affected by @entity3541 .
