From 1989 to 1999, 165 free segmental gracilis muscle transfers were performed in 120 children for facial animation. The CFNG was used in 70 procedures ( CFNG Group ) and the masseteric nerve in 94 procedures (50 patients, masseteric group). To compare the operative procedures between two groups, all charts were reviewed. The extent of oral commissure movement was determined by the measurements taken from the tragion to the commissure corner, both at rest and with full smile. In the masseteric group( n=16 ), the extents were measured at normal side and operated side, and in the CFNG group( n=20 ), those were measured at left and right side.

No significant difference was found between two groups(p<0.05) in the mean age at the muscle transplantation, total operation time for muscle transplantation and the length and fraction section area of used gracilis muscle. Although the operative variables were similar between two groups, the muscle excursion on the operated side in the CFNG group was less than that on the right(p=0.0006) or left side(p=0.0000) in the masseteric group as well as that on normal side(p=0.0000). But about the excursion, there was no significant difference between the left and right sides within the masseteric group (p < 0.05).

This result may be one of the evidence that the segmental gracilis muscle transplantation using the masseteric nerve for facial animation in children is very reproducible operation. Otherwise, the extent of oral commissure movement in the masseteric group is as same as that of the normal side in the CFNG group(p=0.35, 0.61)