Surgical rehabilitation of facial nerve.

The management of facial nerve lesions using microsurgical techniques should be part of the armamentarium of surgeons managing head and neck problems. One has to differentiate between techniques for repair of the nerve itself and secondary reconstructive operations. Direct nerve reconstruction, indirect nerve reconstruction and combined procedures are discussed in detail. Secondary reconstructive methods are indicated if repair of the nerve itself is not possible. The results of 31 cases of facial nerve rehabilitation are presented.