Are 2 rare complications at the same time acceptable following facelift?

Question

My issues is, during the surgery, my left facial nerve was injured because i had had a previous parodectomy which made the facial nerves more susceptible to injury. This info was in my history, i told the physician, pre op nurses and the surgeon but he forgot. I can not lift eyebrow. Also my salivary glad was also injured on my right side and i salivate from my incision. My results are lacking in some places. So i had 2 rare complications at the same time. Is this acceptable?

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

I’m sorry these complications occurred. When you say “acceptable” they are obviously not acceptable to you. You might speak to your surgeon about it and see what is said. And get opinions from a few other doctors. I can understand why you would be upset

Alan Gonzalez, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello @CNursepatient12, thank you for your question. Refer to your physician to find out what is happening and to perform the tests required to arrive at a diagnosis. Best wishes! Alan Gonzalez MD, FACS. International Federation for Adipose Therapeutics and Science” Member (IFATS), American Society of Plastic Surgery Member (ASPS), Colombian Society of Plastic Surgery member (SCCP)

Stephen Prendiville, MD · Answer

I am sorry that you are experiencing a difficult recovery.  Frontal branch of the facial nerve weakness is not common, but almost always a temporary event.  A salivary fistula is also uncommon, generally taking several weeks to resolve. Unfortunately, your previous history of parotidectomy made both events more likely to occur since parotid gland has been resected and the branches of the facial nerve are now more superficial.  If a Surgeon performs enough facelifts, he/she will likely have one or both complications occur.  Both should resolve completely with time.  Best to stay in close communication with your

Ajaya Kashyap, MD · Answer

Thankyou for your question. Sorry to hear of your post-operative complications. Both the complications are  unusual ( although the facial nerve injury was more likely because of your history), and having both is even more unusual. The frontal nerve injury, where you are not able to lift your eyebrow, usually recovers with time as the nerve is usually stretched and not cut. The salivary gland injury also usually responds to medical treatment. Please discus the treatments with your surgeon who should be able to help you. All the best1

Thomas Spalla, MD · Answer

I'm so sorry to hear what you have gone through after your facelift. Regarding the salivation issue. These issues typically resolve with time as the area heals and scars over the parotid gland. It may require aspiration (sucking fluid out if there's a collection), a pressure dressing, or even Botox to halt salivary flow to allow this to dry up and heal. In more rare situations, additional surgery may be needed. That is uncommon and I've only had to help a couple patients from other surgeons with this issue throughout my career.
Regarding your facial nerve injury. This is much more serious and requires attention as soon as possible. See a surgeon who performs microsurgery - specifically neurovascular repair - for their expertise in evaluation and management of this. If the nerve was cut, then repairing this sooner rather than later leads to the best chance for a favorable outcome.
Best of luck,Dr. Thomas C. Spalla

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