PARTIAL HYPOGLOSSAL TO FACIAL-NERVE ANASTOMOSIS FOR REINNERVATION OF THE PARALYZED FACE IN PATIENTS WITH LOWER CRANIAL NERVE PALSIES - TECHNICAL NOTE

REANIMATION OF THE paralyzed face in patients who have coexisting lowe r cranial nerve palsies is a difficult management problem. Classic hyp oglossal to facial nerve anastomosis may be devastating in these alrea dy compromised patients. We describe a technique of partial hypoglossa l to facial anastomosis that can preserve hypoglossal nerve function a nd provide adequate facial reanimation.