Nerve Transfers for Facial Transplantation

Restoration of facial animation and sensation is highly important for the outcome after facial allotransplantation. The identification of healthy nerves for neurotization is of particular importance for successful nerve regeneration within the allograft. However, because of the severity of the initial injury and resultant scar formation, a lack of healthy nerve stumps in the recipient is a commonly encountered problem. In this study, the authors evaluate the technical feasibility of performing nerve transfers in facial transplantation for both sensory and motor neurotization.