Reanimation of the paralyzed face with new gold weight implants and Goretex soft-tissue patches.

Although dynamic reconstruction procedures are preferred for treating patients with complete facial paralyses, static procedures are useful for various conditions. One such technique involves the implantation of gold weights into the upper eyelid. We have reported our experiences with 58 patients who underwent gold weight implantation for rehabilitation of eyelid closure with satisfactory results. To obtain better cosmetic results we developed newly shaped thinner weights. Four instead of three perforations in each weight enable better fixation to soft tissue. Since 40% of all cases also required additional surgery to rehabilitate other portion of the face, polytetrafluoroethylene (Goretex) soft-tissue patches were used for suspension to help correct midfacial and perioral asymmetry. From 1990 to 1996, 22 patients underwent this technique under local or general anesthesia. Except for 2 patients, no complications were observed. Overall, both gold implants and Goretex patches were found to provide good results in patients selected for facial reanimation.