Lip transposition in patients with facial paralysis.

Since facial reanimation is not always possible in patients with facial paralysis, one must have alternate methods of reconstruction available. Satisfactory static reconstruction of the face may be accomplished with the use of a brow lift, tarsorrhaphy, and correction of the paralyzed mouth. Transposition of the corner of the mouth utilizing the Z-plasty technique has proven to be an effective method to correct the drooling and garbled speech associated with facial paralysis. When combined with a brow lift and tarsorrhaphy, symmetry of the facial appearance while at rest has also been obtained.