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RACS ASC 2026
Nerve to Masseter transfer following facial nerve sacrifice: A review of 60 cases
Verbal Presentation

Verbal Presentation

11:50 am

01 May 2026

River View Room 5

FACIAL PALSY

Presentation Description

Institution: Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital - QLD, Australia

Introduction: Facial paralysis presents a challenging problem with significant impact on quality of life, often resulting in severe and debilitating disability. A wide range of static and dynamic reconstructive techniques have been described to try to restore function. The nerve to masseter (NTM) transfer is one dynamic technique that is explored further in this study. Aim: Review trends and outcomes patients undergoing in NTM transfer Methods: This is a 10 year single centre retrospective review of 60 patients who underwent nerve to masseter transfers between 2015 to 2025 at the Royal Brisbane and Womens Hospital. Results: We identified 202 patients who had facial nerve sacrificing procedures for treatment of neoplasms, most commonly metastatic squamous cell carcinoma. 60 (30%) of the 202 patients underwent NTM transfers. 33 (55%) of patients did not require any further surgery after the NTM transfer. 15 (25%) required one subsequent reanimation procedure, 6 (10%) required two subsequent procedures, 4 (7%) required three further procedures and 2 (3%) required four or more further procedures. Conclusions: The majority of patients undergoing primary NTM transfer at time of facial nerve sacrifice do not require any further revisionary surgery. One limitation of this study is the retrospective nature and outcome measures being limited to the documentation of facial muscle activation. Nevertheless this study represents the largest case series of NTM transfers to date that we are aware of.
Presenters
Authors
Authors

Dr Jasmine Zhang - , Dr Darryl Dunn -