Animation of facial palsy in Moebius syndrome by means of a circumoral sling: case report.

The case of a 3-year-old female is reported whose condition was diagnosed as congenital, complete paralysis of the right facial nerve in 1962; and a short time later more specifically described as Moebius syndrome. In 1971, a circumoral fascial sling was inserted in preparation for a masseter muscle transfer. Voluntary movement on the right side of her mouth was noted following surgery and continued to improve, making facial actions more symmetrical. This function has remained stable during a five year follow-up. Although the mechanism of action is not fully understood, it is postulated that the presence of the sling may have presented the subclinically active muscles a force to work against or perhaps the surgery may have liberated those muscles from adjacent fibrous tissue.