What is Static Facial Suspension?
Static Facial Suspension is an operation to lift the corner of the mouth so that balance is restored to the face and drooling out of the mouth is helped. The facial (or 7th cranial) nerve is responsible for moving the mouth. When the nerve doesn't function, that side of the face, including the corner of the mouth may become quite droopy.
Who is a good candidate for surgery?
If your doctor feels that the facial nerve will not be functioning for several months, you may be a good candidate for static facial suspension. This surgery may not be necessary in very young patients who have good facial tone. |
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How is static facial suspension performed?
The surgeon will make one or more incisions in the natural crease lines around the corner of the mouth. Another incision is made around the corner of the eye. A small pocket is created deep to the skin between these two incisions. A small sheet of allograft dermis (a layer of skin that has been harvested from cadaver donors and specially treated) will be sutured to the muscles around the mouth. The sheet is then stretched and fixated to the cheekbone with small surgical screws. Static facial suspension is usually performed under general anesthesia. The operation takes about an hour and is typically a day surgery procedure. The surgical screws can be removed later if facial function returns.
What is the recovery from surgery like?
Recovery from static facial suspension involves several phases. Since general anesthesia is used, you may experience some nausea for the first 24 hours, and you should avoid eating substantial amounts of food. Slight oozing may occur around the incisions. Most people get some bruising and swelling around the eye, which tends to reach a maximum about 48 hours after surgery. Limiting strenuous activity and keeping the head elevated will cut down on much of the swelling. The bruising resolves in about 7-9 days. Placing a cool pad over the face for the first 48 hours will help with the bruising. Most of the swelling is gone by two weeks. |
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When should I come back to the doctor?
Since the sutures dissolve by themselves, there is some leeway about when you may come back to the doctor for a check up.
When can I go back to work?
Workers that perform heavy tasks should avoid work for a week or so. After about a week, patients may resume their normal exercise routines. Some office-type workers are able to return to work after 4-5 days to read mail, make phone calls and do some work with the computer.
Will my insurance pay for this?
Most insurance companies consider static facial suspension a functional procedure and do provide coverage.
