Facial Nerve Center
The Facial Nerve Center at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is staffed by a highly skilled, multidisciplinary team dedicated to the comprehensive diagnosis, treatment, and long-term rehabilitation of facial nerve disorders. Our team of subspecialized facial plastic and reconstructive surgeons, neurotologists, ophthalmologists, and specialized physical therapists collaborate closely to deliver personalized, state-of-the-art care - ranging from non-surgical therapies to advanced dynamic facial reanimation techniques.
Symptoms & Impact
Facial nerve conditions can cause weakness, paralysis, involuntary muscle tightness, or drooping. Symptoms typically present on one side of the face and may occur suddenly or develop gradually over time. Beyond physical discomfort, facial nerve disorders can significantly impact eye safety, nasal breathing, oral competence, speech clarity, and facial expression.
Conditions We Treat
Facial paralysis and nerve dysfunction stem from a wide variety of causes. We frequently evaluate and manage:
- Bell’s Palsy (acute flaccid paralysis) and post-paralytic synkinesis (involuntary muscle movement or tightness following partial recovery)
- Benign and Malignant Tumors, including acoustic neuromas (vestibular schwannomas), facial neuromas, and parotid malignancies requiring nerve resection or reconstruction
- Traumatic Nerve Injury, including temporal bone fractures, facial lacerations, or iatrogenic surgical injury
- Congenital Facial Paralysis, including Mobius syndrome or microtia-associated facial weakness
- Infectious & Inflammatory Conditions, such as Ramsay Hunt syndrome (shingles of the facial nerve), Lyme disease, or chronic otologic disease (e.g., cholesteatoma)
- Autoimmune & Neurologic Disorders
Functional & Aesthetic Challenges Addressed
- Ophthalmic Complications: Inability to fully close the eye (lagophthalmos), lower eyelid laxity, severe dry eye, and corneal exposure risks
- Nasal Obstruction: Internal nasal valve collapse resulting from midface and alar flaccidity
- Oral Incompetence: Difficulty eating, drinking, or retaining liquids due to cheek and lip weakness
- Asymmetry & Limited Expression: Loss of a natural, symmetrical smile and diminished non-verbal facial communication
Services & Treatment Options
Evaluation & Diagnostic Testing
- Comprehensive clinical facial nerve mapping and standardized photographic analysis
- Electrodiagnostic testing (EMG, ENoG) and advanced temporal bone/soft tissue imaging (CT, MRI)
- Interdisciplinary eye and corneal safety assessments
Surgical Reanimation & Reconstruction
- Dynamic Facial Reanimation:
- Nerve grafting and nerve transfers (e.g., masseteric-to-facial nerve transfer, hypoglossal-to-facial transfer, cross-face nerve grafting)
- Free functional muscle transfer (e.g., gracilis muscle flap) for smile restoration in chronic paralysis
- Static & Suspensive Procedures:
- Tensor fascia lata or synthetic static cheek and lip slings
- Temporalis tendon transfer
- Midface and brow lifting to improve facial symmetry and visual fields
- Ophthalmic & Periocular Rehabilitation:
- Platinum/gold weight upper eyelid placement
- Canthoplasty, lower lid ectropion repair, and lateral tarsal strip procedures
- Nasal Valve Reconstruction:
- Alar batten grafting and lateral nasal wall suspension to improve nasal airway patency
- Non-Surgical & Adjunctive Therapies
- Targeted Chemodenervation (Botulinum Toxin / Botox®) for post-paralytic synkinesis, hyperkinesis, and facial asymmetry
- Specialized Facial Physical Therapy, including neuromuscular retraining and biofeedback
Our Multidisciplinary Providers
Eric Wei, MD - Facial Plastics & Reconstructive Surgery
Adam Terella, MD - Facial Plastics & Reconstructive Surgery
Andrew Winkler, MD - Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
Samuel Gubbels, MD - Neurotology/Otology
Appointments & Referrals
To schedule a consultation or place a patient referral, please contact us:
- Phone: 720-848-2820
- Email: [email protected]