Facial Paralysis (2015)

As a service to our readers, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery® reviews books, DVDs, practice management software, and electronic media items of educational interest to reconstructive and aesthetic surgeons. All items are copyrighted and available commercially. The Journal actively solicits information in digital format (e.g., CD-ROM and Internet offerings) for review. Reviewers are selected on the basis of relevant interest. Reviews are solely the opinion of the reviewer; they are usually published as submitted, with only copy editing. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery® does not endorse or recommend any review so published. Send books, DVDs, and any other material for consideration to: Arun K. Gosain, M.D., Review Editor, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Brookriver Executive Center, 8150 Brookriver Drive, Suite S-415, Dallas, Texas 75247. Arun K. Gosain, M.D. Review Editor I greatly enjoyed reading Facial Paralysis: A Comprehensive Rehabilitative Approach. This compact, multiauthored volume is probably the best resource on facial paralysis since Mark May’s The Facial Nerve in 2000. This book was edited by Mark Wax, M.D., a head and neck surgeon in Portland, Oregon, and he has selected a variety of North American otolaryngologists and facial plastic surgeons to author this work. I think anyone with an interest in facial paralysis, such as therapists, surgeons, and other specialists, will enjoy reading this work, given its broad survey of most of the clinical aspects of facial paralysis.FigureThe work begins with an anatomic survey followed by broad clinical topics, such as medical management (i.e., nonsurgical interventions), and then leads into region-specific surgical strategies to address individual concerns. This book really shines in its ability to describe the complications that occur within each region of the face, leading into the respective treatment quite naturally. In general, the prose is quite easy to read. The quality and number of illustrations is very good. I did, however, wish for more illustrations to better graphically depict certain surgical techniques, such as temporalis transfer. I greatly appreciate the authors’ attention to detail in the nonsurgical management techniques, such as eyelid taping and moisture chambers. It is rare to see those topics covered in such detail. The role of electrodiagnostic testing—which often confuses readers because of the plethora of inconsistent and specialty-specific jargon—is presented quite clearly. The authors cover the treatment of specific anatomic sites in detail. I was particularly impressed with the extent of the coverage of the periorbital region, to which the authors have devoted a quarter of the book. I did feel that the dynamic treatment of the midface could have been given greater emphasis, however. Intriguingly, the authors have included a section on soft-tissue fill for postparotidectomy patients, which many patients will probably find quite appealing. My general criticisms are few. As with any surgical textbook, the more operative diagrams the better. I especially felt that far more preoperative and postoperative images were needed to truly demonstrate the impact of the techniques discussed. Videos in facial paralysis, in particular, are very informative—some even assert they are mandatory, and I may be among them. Perhaps in future editions the authors will add an electronic supplement to accommodate videos and other electronic media. I also felt that greater emphasis could have been given to the facial nerve grading systems (only the relatively nonspecific House-Brackmann scale is presented). I hope that future editions will discuss the nuances of facial paralysis in children, and perhaps contain more on the postoperative rehabilitation strategies. In general, this volume is comprehensive and carefully crafted. It will be valuable for surgeons, therapists, students, and nurses. I will certainly keep it on my bookshelf for future reference. Gregory H. Borschel, M.D.