A new surgical approach is advancing the possibility for people with facial paralysis to smile again. The findings were reported in the journal Facial Plastic Surgery and Aesthetic Medicine, highlighting a breakthrough that pairs neuroscience with reconstructive techniques.
Möbius syndrome is a rare congenital condition characterized by limited or absent facial expressions, making it difficult to smile, speak clearly, and swallow comfortably. In a recent study, researchers observed residual activity in the facial nerve among individuals affected by this condition, suggesting an underutilized pathway that could be leveraged for restoring smile function.
At Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, the team translated this neural insight into a surgical procedure. The approach aimed to create a voluntary, symmetrical smile by connecting muscle tissue in a way that could be activated by patient intent. The project involved a number of children who participated in the study and achieved meaningful improvements in facial symmetry when smiling, aligning with their emotional states.
In the operating room, surgeons used tissue harvested from the patients themselves, specifically from the legs, to rebuild the facial muscle network. The resulting smiles appeared natural and spontaneous, accurately reflecting the individuals’ emotions—a key gauge of success for facial reanimation therapies.
Separately, there have been high-profile cases involving transplant medicine that have raised public interest in the boundaries of surgical possibility. In 2018, a 62-year-old man received a kidney transplant from a genetically modified pig, marking a notable instance of xenotransplantation. He lived with the donor organ for about five years. When his kidney function declined again in 2023, he chose to participate in an experimental procedure under investigation for patients with severe brain injury. This ongoing research seeks to determine whether certain innovative strategies can support individuals who no longer show typical brain activity, as part of broader explorations into organ use and neurocritical care.
A separate line of inquiry continues to explore daily nutritional guidelines, including the optimal intake of dairy products. Researchers emphasize that dietary recommendations can vary based on individual health needs, activity levels, and medical history, underscoring that blanket prescriptions do not always serve everyone well.