Facial PalsyNCT07910253
Deep-plane Facelift As A Staged Adjunct To Facial Reanimation : Functional And Aesthetic Outcomes in Comparison to Facial Reanimation Alone
A study testing Facial reanimation in patients with facial palsy without deep plane facelift. and Deep plane facelift adjunct to facial reanimation in Group 2 in people with Facial Palsy, run by Assiut University.
Trial summary
Long-standing unilateral facial paralysis is a complex functional and aesthetic disorder characterized by impaired facial movement, static asymmetry, and progressive soft-tissue changes. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Facial Palsy
- What is being tested?
- Facial reanimation in patients with facial palsy without deep plane facelift. and Deep plane facelift adjunct to facial reanimation in Group 2
- Type of treatment
- Surgery or procedure
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 4 participants
- Where
- No sites listed yet
- Study dates
- Dec 2026to Jun 2029
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- 1.Age ≥18 years. 2.Unilateral facial palsy (paralysis and pareses). 3.Previous first stage facial reanimation. 4.Persistent clinically significant static facial asymmetry 5.Presence of at least one of the following:
- malar descent;
- oral commissure descent;
- lower-face soft-tissue ptosis;
- asymmetric nasolabial fold;
- jowling;
- loss of mandibular definition;
- asymmetric facial aging.
Who cannot join
- 1-acute facial paralysis. 2-ongoing spontaneous neurological recovery. 3-previous extensive facelift surgery significantly altering deep-plane anatomy.
- 4-active facial infection. 5-uncontrolled systemic disease that substantially increases surgical risk. 6-conditions associated with impaired wound healing. 7-inability to comply with perioperative smoking cessation where required.
About this study
Official title: Deep-plane Facelift As A Staged Adjunct To Facial Reanimation : Functional And Aesthetic Outcomes.
Long-standing unilateral facial paralysis is a complex functional and aesthetic disorder characterized by impaired facial movement, static asymmetry, and progressive soft-tissue changes. Chronic muscular imbalance and loss of tone may result in malar descent, distortion of the nasolabial fold, oral commissure malposition, jowling, reduced mandibular definition, and asymmetric facial aging. These deformities may persist despite successful dynamic facial reanimation.
Contemporary reanimation procedures, including masseteric-to-facial nerve transfer, cross-face nerve grafting, free functional muscle transfer, and temporalis transfer, can restore facial movement and improve dynamic symmetry. However, restoration of motor function does not necessarily correct residual static soft-tissue ptosis or asymmetry. Therefore, a staged approach addressing both dynamic function and static facial contour may be beneficial.
Read more
Deep-plane facelift techniques allow repositioning of the facial soft-tissue envelope through deep-plane mobilization and release of retaining ligaments. Their application in facial paralysis has recently been explored, but limited evidence exists regarding their use as a secondary procedure following established dynamic facial reanimation.
Comprehensive outcome assessment should incorporate clinician-reported, patient-reported, and objective measures. The eFACE and Facial Clinimetric Evaluation (FaCE) Scale provide complementary assessments of facial function and patient-perceived disability, while FACE-Q instruments can evaluate aesthetic and psychosocial outcomes.
Accordingly, this prospective study evaluates deep-plane facelift as a staged adjunct after stable facial reanimation, focusing on improvement in static facial symmetry and patient-perceived appearance while maintaining previously restored dynamic facial function.
- Conditions
- Facial Palsy
- Being tested
- Facial reanimation in patients with facial palsy without deep plane facelift., Deep plane facelift adjunct to facial reanimation in Group 2
- Keywords
- facial reanimation ,deep plane facelift ,facial palsy
- Medical subject headings
- Facial Paralysis
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Facial reanimation in patients with facial palsy without deep plane facelift.Procedure or surgery
Facial reanimation in patients with facial palsy without deep plane facelift .
The exact procedure will be documented in facial reanimation , including:
- masseteric-to-facial nerve transfer.
- cross-face nerve graft.
- hypoglossal-facial nerve transfer.
- free functional muscle transfer.
- temporalis muscle transfer.
- combined reanimation.
Deep plane facelift adjunct to facial reanimation in Group 2Procedure or surgery
Deep plane facelift adjunct to facial reanimation.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Group 1 (control group ) | Experimental | Facial reanimation in patients with facial palsy without deep plane facelift . Receives: Procedure: Facial reanimation in patients with facial palsy without deep plane facelift. |
| Group 2 | Experimental | Deep plane facelift adjunct to facial reanimation Receives: Procedure: Deep plane facelift adjunct to facial reanimation in Group 2 |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
A multidimensional outcome framework will be used incorporating: 1. Clinician-reported facial function eFACE
Measured: 6 months
Secondary outcomes (1)
Objective quantitative facial symmetry Standardized digital photography/video analysis
Measured: 6 months
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted2 Nov 2026
- Study startDec 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completionDec 2028 (estimated)
- Study completionJun 2029 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Facial PalsyStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Assiut UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- prospective comparative study
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Investigator
- Enrolment
- 4 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Assiut University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Ibrahim Ragab Ibrahim ali, Assiut University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07910253
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- Facelift in facial palsy
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 27 Oct 2026
- Last updated
- 2 Nov 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 2 Nov 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Deep-plane Facelift As A Staged Adjunct To Facial Reanimation : Functional And Aesthetic Outcomes.
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07910253
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- Facelift in facial palsy
- Conditions
- Facial Palsy
- Keywords
- facial reanimation ,deep plane facelift ,facial palsy
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 4 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Assiut UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- Dec 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- Dec 2028 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Jun 2029 (estimated)
- First posted
- 2 Nov 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Long-standing unilateral facial paralysis is a complex functional and aesthetic disorder characterized by impaired facial movement, static asymmetry, and progressive soft-tissue changes. Chronic muscular imbalance and loss of tone may result in malar descent, distortion of the nasolabial fold, oral commissure malposition, jowling, reduced mandibular definition, and asymmetric facial aging. These deformities may persist despite successful dynamic facial reanimation.
Contemporary reanimation procedures, including masseteric-to-facial nerve transfer, cross-face nerve grafting, free functional muscle transfer, and temporalis transfer, can restore facial movement and improve dynamic symmetry. However, restoration of motor function does not necessarily correct residual static soft-tissue ptosis or asymmetry. Therefore, a staged approach addressing both dynamic function and static facial contour may be beneficial.
Deep-plane facelift techniques allow repositioning of the facial soft-tissue envelope through deep-plane mobilization and release of retaining ligaments. Their application in facial paralysis has recently been explored, but limited evidence exists regarding their use as a secondary procedure following established dynamic facial reanimation.
Comprehensive outcome assessment should incorporate clinician-reported, patient-reported, and objective measures. The eFACE and Facial Clinimetric Evaluation (FaCE) Scale provide complementary assessments of facial function and patient-perceived disability, while FACE-Q instruments can evaluate aesthetic and psychosocial outcomes.
Accordingly, this prospective study evaluates deep-plane facelift as a staged adjunct after stable facial reanimation, focusing on improvement in static facial symmetry and patient-perceived appearance while maintaining previously restored dynamic facial function.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (investigator)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- prospective comparative study
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Group 1 (control group ) | Experimental | Procedure: Facial reanimation in patients with facial palsy without deep plane facelift.Facial reanimation in patients with facial palsy without deep plane facelift . |
| Group 2 | Experimental | Procedure: Deep plane facelift adjunct to facial reanimation in Group 2Deep plane facelift adjunct to facial reanimation |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (8 listed)
- 1.Age ≥18 years. 2.Unilateral facial palsy (paralysis and pareses). 3.Previous first stage facial reanimation. 4.Persistent clinically significant static facial asymmetry 5.Presence of at least one of the following:
Key exclusion criteria (2 listed)
- 1-acute facial paralysis. 2-ongoing spontaneous neurological recovery. 3-previous extensive facelift surgery significantly altering deep-plane anatomy.
- 4-active facial infection. 5-uncontrolled systemic disease that substantially increases surgical risk. 6-conditions associated with impaired wound healing. 7-inability to comply with perioperative smoking cessation where required.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Facial reanimation in patients with facial palsy without deep plane facelift.Facial reanimation in patients with facial palsy without deep plane facelift . The exact procedure will be documented in facial reanimation , including: 1. masseteric-to-facial nerve transfer. 2. cross-face nerve graft. 3. hypoglossal-facial nerve transfer. 4. free functional muscle transfer. 5. temporalis muscle transfer. 6. combined reanimation. | Procedure or surgery | Group 1 (control group ) |
| Deep plane facelift adjunct to facial reanimation in Group 2Deep plane facelift adjunct to facial reanimation. | Procedure or surgery | Group 2 |
Primary outcome
A multidimensional outcome framework will be used incorporating: 1. Clinician-reported facial function eFACE
Time frame: 6 months
1 secondary outcome
Objective quantitative facial symmetry Standardized digital photography/video analysis
Time frame: 6 months
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 2 Nov 2026.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Facial reanimation in patients with facial palsy without deep plane facelift. and Deep plane facelift adjunct to facial reanimation in Group 2 in people with Facial Palsy, run by Assiut University.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 8 inclusion and 2 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 2 Nov 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
A multidimensional outcome framework will be used incorporating: 1. Clinician-reported facial function eFACE (time frame: 6 months). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 2 Nov 2026.