What is a temporalis tendon transfer?
One of the most disfiguring and functionally disturbing sequelae of a facial paralysis is the drooping of the corner of the mouth on the paralyzed side of the face. Patients often complain of drooling that can be professionally and socially disruptive. Dr. Lopez performs a temporalis tendon transfer to elevate the corner of the mouth and enable the patient to have some voluntary movement to the corner of the mouth, i.e. smile. The temporalis tendon transfer was recently described by a colleague of Dr. Lopez at Johns Hopkins. The operation involves transferring the tendon of the temporalis muscle (which is innervated by the trigeminal nerve and not the facial nerve) to the muscles around the mouth. A small incision is used in a naturally occurring crease of the face. By elevating the corner of the mouth and giving voluntary movement, the patient’s face is more symmetric, and there smile is more natural appearing.
