Nerve grafts

[bluestar]

I'm booked to go into hospital for the first stage of a nerve graft operation for facial paralysis. Does anyone have experience of this procedure?

Bluestar

[russ]

Hi Vera
  I'm sure you will receive some replies but this is out of a pt. developed web site: www.anarchive.org/followup.htm
  I trust you'll do well!
  Russ

[ckhegrat]

Yes, I had the graft where they take a hollow nerve from your ankle and attach it to the nfacial nerve on the good side and take it across and attach it to the bad side.  It took about 9 months before I noticed any movement.  Then I had the facial sling done about 1 year later.  I went from 0 movement to about 60% or movement and still improving.  That was in 2000 and 2001.  I look pretty normal now.  I still do not have a symetric smile but at least there is movement.

Kim

[kristin]

wow! that is so interesting! doctors continue to impress me! i'm glad to hear you're getting better. its unbelievable that something like taking a nerve from your ankle to your brain would work.

[Kathleen_Mc]

Bluestar: yes I have had the surgery you are going for, in fact I have had a total of 6 "plastic repairs" to my face since my a.n. removal and subsequent facial palsy. It's a whole lot to type, let me know if your interested in the details. In a nut shell I have had a hypoglossal transfer, a cross facial nerve graft, a fascia sling, a muscle transfer and they cut a nerve that gives movement to the lower lip on the good side to "even things up". The particular surgery you ask about...the site where they take the nerve from in the leg is more painful than the face and I suggest if you drive standard you have them take it from the right leg (it would really hurt to depress the clutch). Kathleen