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What Is Selective Neurolysis? (Infographic)

Selective neurolysis, also referred to as modified selective neurectomy, is the first permanent facial paralysis treatment. It is performed exclusively by globally recognized facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Babak Azizzadeh. What Makes Selective Neurolysis Unique? During selective neurolysis, Dr. Azizzadeh corrects “mis-wiring” of the facial nerve that can otherwise hamper a facial paralysis patient’s […]

Uncommon Causes of Facial Paralysis

Uncommon Causes of Facial Paralysis Diagnosing and treating facial paralysis can be challenging. If facial paralysis causes cannot be identified, a patient’s facial appearance and self-confidence can be severely affected. Dr. Babak Azizzadeh of The Facial Paralysis Institute is a Harvard-trained facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon with many years of experience. He understands both common […]

Facial Nerve Recovery After Parotidectomy

Facial Nerve Recovery After Parotidectomy A parotidectomy is a surgical procedure used to remove a parotid gland tumor. Typically, a tumor makes an affected parotid gland appear larger than ever before. A parotid gland tumor also generally appears on a single gland as a growth on the jawbone. At the first sign of a parotid […]

Can Facial Paralysis Affect Taste?

Facial paralysis may affect the taste buds, sensory organs found around the tongue that let people experience sweet, savory and other flavors. To understand the link between facial paralysis and taste, let’s examine the results of a recent study on the topic. In a study published in the Journal of Audiology & Otology in April […]

Is Tiredness a Common Symptom of Acoustic Neuroma?

An acoustic neuroma is a non-cancerous brain tumor that develops on a tiny nerve between the inner ear and brainstem. It is the most common type of brain tumor and affects the eighth cranial nerve. Additionally, there are many symptoms of acoustic neuroma, including tiredness. What Is the Relationship Between Tiredness and Acoustic Neuroma? Fatigue […]

How Can I Tell If My Child Has Moebius Syndrome?

Moebius syndrome is a rare congenital disorder that paralyzes or weakens multiple cranial nerves. It is sometimes apparent in children and occurs as early as birth. Additionally, some researchers believe Moebius syndrome may occur due to genetics. For parents, it is paramount to identify the signs of Moebius syndrome in a child. This ensures parents […]

How to Talk to My Child About Their Facial Paralysis Condition

Facial paralysis in children is rare. Regardless, parents should keep an eye out for symptoms of facial paralysis in kids. That way, they can address these symptoms before they permanently damage the facial appearance. In the event that parents find their children are coping with facial paralysis, they need to respond appropriately. At this point, […]

How To Fix Facial Paralysis After Acoustic Neuroma Tumor Removal

The process to fix facial paralysis after acoustic neuroma tumor removal is rarely simple. By working with an expert facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, an individual can alleviate facial paralysis symptoms after an acoustic neuroma is removed. Acoustic neuroma facial paralysis sometimes occurs if a large tumor is present. Removing a large acoustic neuroma tumor […]

Permanent Facial Paralysis: Here’s What You Need to Know

Permanent facial paralysis is rare, and it occurs due to severe facial nerve branch damage. The facial nerve consists of five primary branches: frontal, zygomatic, buccal, marginal mandibular and platysmal. Long-term facial paralysis is most frequently associated with damage to the frontal nerve branch, but extensive damage to any of the facial nerve branches may lead to permanent facial paralysis.

Ramsay Hunt Syndrome: Here’s What You Need to Know

Ramsay Hunt syndrome (RHS) is a neurological disorder that causes facial paralysis. The Facial Paralysis is proud to host an RHS Awareness Week to educate patients about RHS. As part of our RHS Awareness Week initiative, let’s take a look at RHS, the condition’s symptoms and how RHS is treated. What Causes RHS? RHS occurs […]

Regaining Confidence After Facial Paralysis Surgery

Tips for Regaining Confidence After Facial Paralysis Surgery Facial paralysis surgery is sometimes used to treat Bell’s palsy, synkinesis and other conditions that cause facial weakness. It often helps individuals strengthen weak smile muscles and address other forms of facial paralysis. At the same time, facial paralysis surgery may require an extensive recovery process. At […]

What Is the Connection Between Facial Paralysis and Ophthalmology?

Eye Paralysis: What Is the Connection Between Facial Palsy and Opthamology?

Facial paralysis patients often struggle to make facial expressions, as well as chew, swallow and speak. In some instances, facial paralysis patients also experience ophthalmoplegia, also referred to as eye paralysis. Eye Paralysis: Here’s What You Need to Know Ophthalmoplegia can affect one or more eye muscles. It has been linked to several medical conditions, […]

Parotid Surgery and Facial Nerve Preservation

Parotid surgery is a complex procedure and must be performed by a team of multi-specialty experts, including a head and neck surgeon and facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon. Otherwise, a failed parotid gland surgery puts a patient in danger of facial nerve damage that affects his or her ability make facial expressions and close the […]

Facial Paralysis and Eye Management

Facial paralysis sometimes puts a person’s eyes in danger. If a person is dealing with facial paralysis, he or she may struggle to open and close the eye on the paralyzed side of the face. In this instance, facial paralysis exposes the cornea, the eye’s clear, outermost layer. The cornea protects the eye against dirt, […]

Permanently Treating Facial Paralysis, Bell’s Palsy and Synkinesis with Modified Selective Neurectomy

Modified Selective Neurectomy for Facial Paralysis Modified selective neurectomy, also known as selective neurolysis, is a groundbreaking smile reanimation procedure created by globally recognized and Harvard-trained facial paralysis and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Babak Azizzadeh. It is a permanent facial paralysis treatment option that has helped many patients regain the ability to produce a natural, spontaneous […]

How to Treat Congenital Facial Paralysis with a Gracilis Muscle Transplant

How to Treat Congenital Facial Paralysis with a Gracilis Muscle Transplant For people who have lived with long-term or congenital facial paralysis, it can be easy to feel despair because they think there’s nothing that can help them. However, if they are dealing with unilateral or bilateral facial paralysis, they may be good candidates for […]

How Has Facial Paralysis Treatment Changed Your Life?

How Has Facial Paralysis Treatment Changed Your Life? When it comes to treating facial paralysis, naturally there is a great deal of focus on external changes and how a patient’s appearance will look different as a result of the treatment. But facial paralysis treatment can bring many other kinds of changes that aren’t as readily […]

Does Bell’s Palsy Reoccur? Here’s What You Need to Know

Does Bell’s Palsy Reoccur? Here’s What You Need to Know Bell’s palsy is one of the primary causes of facial paralysis worldwide. And, in some instances, it can be a recurring issue. What Is Recurrent Bell’s Palsy? Bell’s palsy causes facial muscle weakness. It can affect people at any age and causes facial paralysis and […]

Why is Ramsay Hunt Syndrome Often Misdiagnosed?

Why is Ramsay Hunt Syndrome Often Misdiagnosed? It comes on suddenly. Your face starts to droop on one side, to the point you can’t make facial expressions or close your eye. You have problems hearing with the ear on that side of your face and food tastes differently. You might assume you have Bell’s palsy. […]

What to Do If You Have Facial Nerve Damage After Acoustic Neuroma Surgery

What to Do If You Have Facial Nerve Damage After Acoustic Neuroma Surgery Acoustic neuroma surgery sometimes requires the removal or manipulation of a section of the facial nerve. Due to the delicate nature of the facial nerve, residual swelling and damage may cause temporary or permanent facial paralysis and synkinesis. Patients generally require at […]

How the Facial Nerve and Parotid Gland Are Connected

What Is the Facial Nerve-Parotid Gland Connection? The facial nerve-parotid gland relationship is unique. And, for patients who require parotid tumor removal, it is beneficial to work with a surgeon who understands this relationship. What Is Parotid Tumor Removal? Parotid tumor removal, also known as a parotidectomy or parotid surgery, is used to address abnormal […]

Do I Have Bell’s Palsy? Here’s What You Need to Know

Do I Have Bell’s Palsy? Here’s What You Need to Know Those who experience sudden facial weakness on one side of the face may be dealing with Bell’s palsy. But, it is important to note that Bell’s palsy is a complex condition. As such, comprehensive testing is necessary to verify if an individual’s symptoms are […]

Why Are Gold Eyelid Weights Gold?

Why Are Gold Eyelid Weights Gold? A gold eyelid weight is sometimes surgically implanted inside the upper eyelid as part of a facial paralysis treatment. The weight helps restore a facial paralysis patient’s ability to close the eye. Meanwhile, the weight’s gold construction ensures the implant is safe for use in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) […]

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