Facial Nerve operations

[Suu]

Hi all
My facial nerve was stretched over the middle of the AN and I'm 6mths post-op. I've had the nerve conduction tests which show that there are no 'messages' getting through at all.

I ended up in the ED yesterday after my dizziness had me running into walls. I've got high blood pressure and a referral to a neurophysiotherapist but the intern ENT doctor, that was on duty, spoke to me about my facial palsy.

He said that the 'standard' way in Australia (or maybe just that hospital) was to do a 12/7 graft which would not give me my smile back and it would leave me with half my tongue numb and unable to move.  I was pretty gobsmacked at this news as my specialist hadn't said this.

My question is pretty simple:

Has anyone had (or know of anyone who has had) a successful facial nerve operation and did it give the the person their ability to smile back?

I'm not too worried about my eye or upper face but I would give a kidney to the doctor that can give me just my smile back.
Is there any hope?

Kindest regards to everyone,
Suu from Australia

[Kaybo]

Hi Suu and Welcome!  Sorry that you are here, but glad you found us!  I know it can be very shocking to hear this news when you weren't expecting it - I know that my husband & I were bowled over when we first heard after my surgery 15 years  ago.  My question is "have you had ANY movement or twitches on that side?"  Six months is still early going - many people get movement LONG after that.  In my case, I had absolutely NO movement (zilch) the first year and so they proceeded on to the next step which was the 12/7.  I didn't get much movement, but did since it was hooked up to a "live" nerve, the side of my face was "rejuvenated."  That was a long time ago, and I know that others have better results now - I'm sure partly because medicine has come so far.  Almost 3 years ago now, I went to Baltimore and had the T3 (Temporalis Tendon Transfer) with Dr. Patrick Byrne at Johns-Hopkins and am able to see A LOT of positive results and even have a fairly good closed mouth smile now.  SO, in answer to your question - there are things out there that can help - do your research but also wait a fair amount of time before you jump into anything!
I'd be more than happy to talk to you more or ask any questions here!

K  

[lori67]

Hi Suu and welcome.

I had the 7/12 nerve graft about 2 1/2 years ago.  I'm not sure if it's done differently there than it is here in the states, but my tongue, while a little numb, moves just fine!  Ask anyone who has had to listen to me talk...and talk....and talk.... 

Immediately post op, it was a little hard to get used to and my speech was not very good, but it's fine now.  I do have diminished sensation on that side of my tongue and can't taste things quite like I used to, but the other side is fine and seems to have really picked up the slack for the AN side.  I had little to no movement before the graft and my face was very droopy on that side.  I still don't have my big smile back, but my face is symmetrical now and I can do a closed mouth smile, which I am happy with.  At least it's better than it was!   I would talk to your specialist about it because I think that ENT is just passing along what he's heard about the procedure and doesn't really know a lot about it.

It's still early in your recovery, so you have time to do some research.  In the mean time, hang onto that kidney...you might need it for something else!   

Good luck!
Lori

[Suu]

Hi K and Lori
I've had the nerve conduction tests and they went a step further and used the needles into the facial and forehead muscles - not a skerrick of movement sadly.
I keep thinking that I have a little tingling on my tongue but I concentrate and it's not on the left.  No twitching of the face at all.
The T3 is the next thing for me to research. Thankyou for the information.

I agree with you that I'll go armed with questions when I see the head honcho on the 14th. He's easy to talk to and is matter-of-fact when he needs to be.

There's always time to wait before doing any more surgery.  My doc (Dr Eisenburg from the John Hunter in Newcastle, Australia) is well reknowned so I'm putting my face in his careful hands.
Hugs,
Suu