Facial Paralysis & Reanimation

Facial paralysis affects far more than appearance — it impacts a person's ability to communicate emotion, eat, drink, and protect their eyes. Dr. Lakhiani offers the full spectrum of surgical options for restoring facial movement, from nerve repair and transfer to free functional muscle transplant.

Facial paralysis can result from many causes, including Bell's palsy, acoustic neuroma surgery, trauma, infection, or congenital conditions. The timing and type of surgical intervention depend on the cause, duration of paralysis, and the patient's individual anatomy and goals. Early evaluation is critical, as certain surgical options — particularly direct nerve repair — are time-sensitive.

Dr. Lakhiani works with each patient to develop a comprehensive surgical plan that may include one or several staged procedures. The goal is always to restore the most natural, spontaneous facial movement possible while addressing functional concerns such as eye closure, oral competence, and nasal airway patency.

Surgical Treatment

Learn more about the full range of surgical options available for facial reanimation.

The Facial Nerve Clinic

Dr. Lakhiani co-directs the Facial Nerve Clinic with Dr. Dayan, providing comprehensive evaluation and surgical treatment for facial paralysis and facial nerve disorders. The clinic offers the full spectrum of care from initial diagnosis through surgical reanimation and long-term rehabilitation.

Available procedures span the entire range of facial reanimation surgery, including:

• Direct nerve repair — when the facial nerve can be directly reconnected
• Nerve transfer (masseteric) — redirecting a nerve from the jaw muscle to power smile
• Cross-face nerve grafting — connecting to the healthy side for more spontaneous movement
• Free functional muscle transfer (gracilis) — transplanting muscle from the thigh to the face
• Static procedures — eyelid weights for eye closure, brow lifts, and fascia slings for facial symmetry at rest