Free microvascular and microneural transfer of the extensor digitorum brevis muscle for the treatment of unilateral facial palsy.

The operation of transfer of the extensor digitorum brevis muscle to the face in the treatment of unilateral facial palsy (Thompson and Gustavson, 1976) has been further modified by immediate anastomosis of its vascular pedicle to the superficial temporal vessels. Six of our ten patients showed some new movement but in only three did this approach symmetry with the other side. Long term follow-up showed that improvement can be expected for up to two years after transfer. Our technique is assessed critically and suggestions are made for further improvement.