Abstract
Purpose: Mobius syndrome is a rare congenital disorder characterized by facial diplegia and bilateral abducens palsy, which occasionally combines with other cranial nerve dysfunction. The inability to show happiness, sadness or anger by facial expression frequently results in social dysfunction. The classic concept of cross facial nerve grafting and free muscle transplantation, which is standard in unilateral developmental facial palsy, cannot be used in these patients without special consideration. Our experience in the treatment of three patients with this syndrome using transfer of muscles innervated by trigeminal nerve showed rewarding results. Methods: We used bilateral temporalis muscle elevated from the bony temporal fossa. Muscles and their attached fascia were folded down over the anterior surface of the zygomatic arch. The divided strips from the attached fascia were passed subcutaneously and anchored to the medial canthus and the nasolabial crease for smiling and competence of mouth and eyelids. For the recent 13 years the authors applied this method in 3 Mobius syndrome cases- 45 year-old man and 13 year-old boy, 8 year-old girl. Results: One month after the surgery the patients had good support and already showed voluntary movement at the corner of their mouth. They showed full closure of both eyelids. There was no scleral showing during eyelid closure. Also full closure of the mouth was achieved. After six months, the reconstructed movements of face were maintained. Conclusion: Temporalis muscle transfer for Mobius syndrome is an excellent method for bilateral reconstruction at one stage, is easy to perform, and has a wide range of reconstruction and reproducibility.
