What is stroke condition?
Strokes are often associated with facial paralysis. A stroke is classified as either ischemic (lack of blood flow) or hemorrhagic (blood vessel rupture) and can affect various centers in the brain. When a stroke occurs in the area of the brain that controls movement (primary motor cortex), it can result in loss of function of the muscles it controls.
.Location of motor cortex in the human brain.
A motor homunculus is a graphic representation depicting what areas are controlled geographically along the frontal lobe cortex. The muscles of facial expression are affected frequently in stroke patients. This can manifest as either facial weakness, partial paralysis, or complete paralysis.
In some cases, stroke patients may qualify for intervention for facial paralysis, if the symptoms of stroke do not resolve. These patients face the same consequences as other facial paralysis patients, including symptoms of drooling, facial drooping, eyebrow droop, incomplete blink and eye closure, watery eye, speech disturbance, and swallowing difficulties.
Facial paralysis reconstruction must be weighed against the risk of surgery in stroke patients. These patients tend to be older and may have other morbidities such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart problems. If these problems are addressed and managed effectively, then a surgical plan may be instituted. In any case, the mainstay of management in stroke patients is facial and physical therapy. Aside from reanimation procedures, there are several other options for cosmetic improvement that may be more simple such as facelift, browlift, or fascia lata tendon sling placement.
Why choose Dr Panossian
- He received his medical education at Tufts University School of Medicine.
- Graduated at the top of his class at UCLA, receiving Phi Beta Kappa and Summa Cum Laude honors.
- Was accepted into an elite combined general surgery and plastic surgery residency at the Keck School of Medicine of USC.
- Completed subspecialty training in craniofacial surgery at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto and Harvard Medical School.
- Was mentored by Dr. Ron Zuker in the practice of facial paralysis reconstruction. This prestigious fellowship position was available to only one surgeon in the United States.
- Is affiliated with various charitable and educational organizations, including Operation Smile and Mending Kids.
- Is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the highly selective American Association of Plastic Surgeons, reserved for only a select group of individuals nationally who have demonstrated excellence in academic plastic surgery.
- Holds memberships in several other professional societies including the American College of Surgeons and the American Society of Reconstructive Microsurgery.
- He serves on the Board of Directors for Mending Kids and the Gondobay Manga Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to the improvement of lives in Sierra Leone.
- Has been nominated by his peers annually since 2012 as a “Super Doctor.”
- Served as an expert medical consultant and appeared on The Doctors, Grey’s Anatomy, and Nip/Tuck.
- Has been featured as “Top Doctor” in US News and World Report, Pasadena Magazine, and Los Angeles Magazine.
Last modified by Dr. Andre Panossian
