Periocular management in recent facial palsy patients treated with triple innervation technique: A retrospective case series

Facial paralysis decreases eye protection mechanisms leading to ocular problems up to corneal ulceration, and blindness. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of periocular procedures for recent facial paralysis. Medical records of patients with unilateral recent complete facial palsy who did periocular procedures at the Maxillofacial Surgery Department of San Paolo Hospital (Milan, Italy) between April 2018 and November 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. 26 patients were included. All patients were evaluated 4 months after surgery. The first group included 9 patients who underwent upper eye lid lipofilling and midface suspension with fascia lata graft; they had no ocular dryness symptoms and no need for eye protection measures in 33.3% of cases, significant reduction of ocular symptoms and need for eye protection measures in 66.6% of patient, 0–2 mm lagophthalmos in 66.6% and 3–4 mm lagophthalmos in 33.3%. The second group of 17 patients who underwent upper eyelid lipofilling, midface suspension with fascia lata graft and lateral tarsorrhaphy, had no ocular dryness symptoms and no need for eye protection measures in 17.6% of patient, significant reduction of ocular symptoms and need for eye protection measures in 76.4% of patient, 0–2 mm lagophthalmos in 70.5%, 3–4 mm lagophthalmos in 23.5% and one patient 5,8%had 8 mm lagophthalmos and persistent symptoms. No ocular complication, cosmetic complain or donner site morbidity were reported. Upper eyelid lipofilling, midface suspension with fascia lata graft and lateral tarsorrhaphy decrease ocular dryness symptoms and need for eye protection measures and improve lagophthalmos: the association of the reinnervation with these complementary techniques is therefore highly recommended in order to immediately protect the eye.