Chennai Hosts South India’s First Facial Nerve Surgical Workshop for Facial Paralysis

Chennai, November 2024: South India’s first-ever workshop on the surgical management of facial paralysis, meant for the healthcare professionals and students, began today in the city. Organised by The Head and Neck Centre & Hospital (THANC Hospital), this two-day workshop features in-depth lectures, surgical video demonstrations and simulation-based training sessions by well-known national and international surgeons.

Facial paralysis (facial palsy) occurs as the result of nerve damage, it can affect the ability to move the muscles in the face. When facial paralysis does not resolve on its own, surgery can address the problem.

The workshop is aimed at equipping participants with the latest knowledge and techniques in facial nerve reanimation surgery.

Facial palsy can be attributed to many conditions such as a stroke, head injury, trauma to the face, brain tumour, Bell’s palsy, chronic middle ear infection, tumours of the salivary glands, Ramsay Hunt syndrome and Moebius Syndrome.

Talking about the workshop, Dr. S. Vidhyadharan, Director, THANC Hospital, said, “This is the first workshop for the state, and perhaps one of the very few in the entire country, dedicated purely to surgical treatment of facial paralysis thereby improving smile and facial expressions. The workshop has attracted the participation of plastic surgeons, oral and maxillo facial surgeons, ENT and head & neck surgeons from all over India. Two Italian surgeons renowned for their work on facial nerve palsy, Prof. Federico Biglioli, Department Head of Head and Neck Surgery and Maxillofacial Surgery, and Dr Federico Bolognesi, Consultant Maxillofacial Surgery, San Paolo University Hospital, Milan will be presenting their surgical techniques and interacting with participants throughout the workshop.”

He observed that facial expression is a body function that is often take for granted. “Our facial expressions are conveyed to others to help define us and relate with others. When a person is affected with paralysis of their facial nerve, they may lose the ability to confidently interact with the world. They lose their ability to close their eyes, speak clearly, breathe through their nose, or eat without drooling. This in turn has a detrimental effect on their quality-of-life and decreases their social interactions,” he opined.

About The Head and Neck Centre & Hospital:
The Head and Neck Centre & Hospital (THANC Hospital) at Kilpauk, Chennai, is a super-speciality hospital for the speciality of ENT and Head & Neck Surgery. The hospital has a team of experienced surgeons specialised in ENT head & neck surgery, neuro-otology & lateral skull base surgery, oral & maxillofacial surgery and plastic & reconstructive surgery.

Following the recent inauguration of the Facial Nerve Clinic at THANC Hospital, Dr. Vidhyadharan, Senior Consultant – Head & Neck Surgery, Dr Arulalan, Consultant ENT Surgery and their surgical team have operated on three young adults who have had facial nerve paralysis due to head injury, ear infection and previous tumour surgery, respectively. Advanced treatment strategies, including facial reanimation surgery, surgical treatment of synkinesis, rehabilitation and eye care and surgery are offered at the clinic at THANC hospital.