Hands-on Reservation

Room: Paris

Instructors: Thomas Schick, Johannes Krauß, Christina Buchgeher, Alejandro Honeyands Marti, Orlando Guntinas-Lichius, Gerd Fabian Volk

Facial-Nerve-Center, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Center of Rare Diseases, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany

Session content: High therapy frequencies with up to several training units per day are crucial for the success of many facial nerve rehabilitation programs. At the same time, human therapists due to the financial and personnel costs cannot provide such high therapy frequencies. Surface electrical stimulation home training, possibly with computer support or tele medical elements, could be a solution here.

Study results for surface electrical stimulation home-training but also EMG-triggered electro-stimulation of the facial muscles to support facial movements will be presented. Surface electrostimulation can prevent atrophy of denervated facial muscles. Patient pathways, application scenarios, and ideas for future medical treatments will be developed in an interactive exchange with the participants.

Room: Paris

Instructors: 

Andres Rodriguez (1) & Andreas Kehrer (2)

(1) Department of Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden

(2) Department of Plastic, Hand, and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany

Session content: This hands-on session will introduce facial surgeons to the use of high-resolution ultrasound in the evaluation and management of post-facial paralysis synkinesis. Led by the Upsala Facial Nerve Group, the session combines theoretical and practical components. Participants will learn key machine settings, probe handling, and image interpretation techniques for facial muscle mapping. The focus will be on identifying synkinetic activity and planning ultrasound-guided interventions. Dr. Andreas Kehrer will present on botulinum toxin injections guided by ultrasound, sharing practical clinical insights. Dr. Andres Rodriguez will follow with technical considerations and case-based applications. A dedicated Q&A will foster open discussion. The second half of the session will involve supervised hands-on scanning in small groups. Attendees will explore key mimetic muscles, including the depressor anguli oris (DAO), gaining skills transferable to clinical practice.

Room: Paris

Instructors: Gerd Fabian Volk, Johannes Krauß, Orlando Guntinas-Lichius
Facial-Nerve-Center, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Center of Rare Diseases, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany

Session content: Up to now, the functional diagnosis of facial muscles has been mainly based on clinical inspection and grading, patient-reported outcome measures or electrophysiology, such as electromyography (EMG) and evoked potentials. Muscle biopsies in the face are uncommon because they can damage small muscles and nerves. In recent years, muscle sonography and, in its early stages, MRI have at least partially filled this diagnostic gap in the assessment and quantification of muscle: Standardized examination protocols, reliability measurements, reference values and systematic recording of pathological changes have been published in recent years.  In this workshop, the anatomical, pathophysiological, sonographic and medical-technical basics will be presented and discussed to facilitate the understanding of facial muscles ultrasound.  Ultrasound equipment will be available so that all participant can scan their own faces and measure their own facial muscles in a standardized and clinical useful way. The application of this technology in patient care, the impact on decision-making processes, and its role in evaluating treatment efficacy will be addressed through discussions with the participants.

Room: Paris

Instructors: 

Orlando Guntinas-Lichius, Paul Funk, Marius Arnz, Gerd Fabian Volk

Facial-Nerve-Center, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Center of Rare Diseases, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany

Session content: Diagnostic electrophysiology in facial nerve palsy is gaining clinical relevance for the indication of surgical reinnervation techniques and therapeutic electrical stimulation. Electromyography (EMG) of the muscles of the face plays an important role here. This course is intended to facilitate the introduction to electromyography of the face and to offer experienced users the opportunity to improve their techniques and exchange ideas. The technical basics of EMG will be presented in the course. Various methods of placing the electrodes will be demonstrated in detail, with video examples and on each other. The devices and instruments commonly used for this are available for demonstration. Various indications for diagnostic EMG, possible findings, their documentation and interpretation are discussed together. Case studies are used to illustrate the clinical relevance of the examination and its therapeutic consequences.