The treatment of unilateral and bilateral facial palsy using free muscle transfers.

A 25-year experience in the treatment of unilateral and bilateral facial palsies is presented. The advent of crossed facial nerve grafts and revascularized muscle grafts gives a high proportion of facial reanimation. The choice for the muscle graft is the pectoralis minor. The latissimus dorsi can be used in unfavorable cirumstances or in bilateral facial palsies. Although recovery of movement is high, the search for refinement and symmetry continues. This article encapsulates the author's philosophy in trying to achieve these goals.