ASSESSMENT OF THE VARIATIONS IN ELECTRICAL ACTIVITY OF THE MASSETER MUSCLE AND MASTICATORY FORCE AFTER THE USE OF THE MASSETER NERVE AS DONOR IN FACIAL REANIMATION SURGERY-AN ORIGINAL RESEARCH

Aim To evaluate the impact that the use of the masseter nerve in dynamic facial reconstruction has on the electrical activity of the masseter muscle and on bite force. Methodology An observational and prospective longitudinal study was performed measuring bite force and electrical activity of the masseter muscles before and 3 months after dynamic facial reconstructive surgery using the masseter nerve. An occlusal analyzer and surface electromyography were employed for measurements. Results The study included 15 patients with unilateral facial paralysis, with a mean age of 24.06 +/- 23.43. Seven patients were subjected to a masseter-buccal branch nerve transfer, whereas in eight patients, the masseter nerve was used as a donor nerve for gracilis free functional muscle transfer. Electrical activity of the masse ter muscle was significantly reduced after surgery in both occlusal positions: from 140.86 +/- 65.94 to 109.68 +/- 68.04 (p = 0.01) in maximum intercuspation and from 123.68 +/- 75.64 to 82.64 +/- 66.56 (p = 0.01) in the rest position. However, bite force did not show any reduction, changing from 22.07 +/- 15.66 to 15.56 +/- 7.91 (p = 0.1) after the procedure. Conclusion Masseter nerve transfer causes a reduction in electromyographic signals of the masseter muscle; however, bite force is preserved and comparable to preoperative status.