Facial palsy
Facial palsy is muscle weakness or paralysis in the face due to damage or swelling of the facial nerve. Facial palsy can be caused by Bell’s palsy (unexplained and sudden onset of facial muscles weakness), cancer, trauma or a defect from birth.
How is facial palsy treated?
There are several techniques that can be used to treat a facial palsy, including both non-surgical and surgical approaches.
The best approach to treatment will depend on a patient’s specific condition, the progression of this condition over time and the functional and cosmetic aspects of the condition that bother the patient most.
In order to treat a facial palsy, Dr Ch’ng will work closely with a patient’s other medical specialists (including neurologists, neurosurgeons, ophthalmologists and/or otologists) to assess the extent of a patient’s palsy and discuss the best treatment options for the patient. These may include:
- Botox (botulinum toxin, with or without dedicated facial physiotherapy)
- Brow and/or eyelid surgery
- Functional gracilis free flap reconstruction
- Nerve transfer
- Sling suspension
- Face lift
- Fat grafting.
Get in touch
If you’d like to know more about our head and neck, plastic or skin cancer surgical services, or if you have a question for Dr Ch’ng, we’d love to hear from you.
