Background

The versatility of the temporalis muscle justifies its wide popularity in reconstructive craniomaxillofacial surgery. In late facial paralysis, results of neural reconstructive techniques such as cross-facial grafting or mini-hypoglossal-to-facial nerve transfer are partial at best. In this series, the authors have used a segmental temporalis transfer, the “mini-temporalis,” to augment the function attained with neural microsurgery. The aim of this present study was to present the experience of the authors’ center with the use of the mini-temporalis as an adjuvant to facial nerve microsurgery for smile restoration.

Methods