Selective Neurectomy Outcomes in Synkinesis Patients: The First 56 Consecutive Primary Cases with Minimum 1-Year Follow-up

Abstract

Introduction:

Evaluation of 1-year follow-up outcomes after selective neurectomy (SN) is essential to confirm sustained improvements in patient-reported, clinician-graded, and objective results.

Objective:

To assess outcomes of SN in synkinesis, using patient-reported outcomes (VAS), clinician-graded assessments (eFACE), and objective evaluations.

Methods:

Synkinesis patients who underwent SN were included in the study. Patients with less than 12 months of follow-up were excluded. Visual analog scale (VAS) was assessed as patient-reported outcomes. The Electronic Clinician-Graded Facial Function Scale (eFACE) was also assessed. Objective evaluations were carried out via Emotrics Software.

Results:

Fifty-six primary cases were included, with a mean patient age at surgery of 33.8 ± 11.0 years. Of these, 45 patients (80.3%) were female. The average duration between paralysis and surgery was 124.3 ± 103.3 months. The mean duration between surgery and evaluation was 19.7 ± 7.5 months (mean/SD). Preoperative and postoperative mean aggregate VAS scores were 35.5 ± 19.8 and 67.7 ± 16.5, respectively (p < 0.001). However, two patients (3.7%) reported worsening in moving food around in the mouth, and four patients (7.5%) reported worsening in drooling. All postoperative eFACE subscores except periocular demonstrated significant improvement (p < 0.001). Emotrics analysis demonstrated improvement in all postoperative symmetry parameters, except in the periocular region.

Conclusions:

SN improves patient-reported outcomes, clinician-graded assessments, and objective measurements. However, periocular outcomes remain suboptimal, and functional deficits should be carefully considered.