Few impairments have a more negative effect on the quality of an individual's life.
The paralysis, which results from injury to the facial nerve, can lead to a variety of troubling symptoms, including ocular problems, speech difficulties, drooling, and nasal obstruction. Thus, this disorder can be quite debilitating for patients who suffer the emotional impact from the facial disfigurement as well as difficulties with communication, eating, and drinking in a social setting. A highly respected figure in her subspecialty, Dr. Shindo has gained national recognition for her expertise in the treatment of facial paralysis, as well as the art of microvascular free-flap reconstruction in the head and neck region. In addition, her specialties include the treatment of thyroid and parathyroid disorders, head and neck cancers, voice disorders, and paralyzed vocal cords. The facial nerve has many functions, of which the most physically obvious are the conveyance of emotion, eye closure, and assistance with speech and chewing.