UNC Facial Nerve Center

Thank you to Dr. Kandahari for presenting her research with the UNC Facial Nerve Center at the NC & SC Societies of Otolaryngology Meeting this weekend. Facial paralysis patients from rural areas, Black patients, and non-English speaking patients are less likely to seek treatment for their facial paralysis. Facial paralysis impacts EVERYONE and there are treatments to help improve facial function and symmetry regardless of the cause of paralysis and a patient's background. These treatments are typically covered by health insurance!!! Please schedule a consultation with us today if you have facial paralysis.

Read this story summarizing Dr. Miller's recent research on DAO excision and how it can help patients show more happiness when they smile!!!

Resolving a Self-Expression Disconnect Using AI, Improves a Patient’s Ability to Express Happiness When Smiling - ENTtoday Resolving a Self-Expression Disconnect Using AI, researchers find depressor anguli oris excision improves a patient’s ability to express happiness when smiling.

Dr. Matthew Ridley was in Bristol, United Kingdom this week presenting his work with Dr. Miller and patients of the UNC Facial Nerve Center. Dr. Ridley interviewed patients to see how they have developed resilience and adaptations to help their mental and social health throughout their journey with facial paralysis. He talked with patients who were born with facial paralysis, and those who developed paralysis later in life. Thank you to Dr. Ridley and all of the patients who participated in this important research!!!!

Congratulations to Dr. Miller and facial nerve therapist, Heather Davis Cuevas, on receiving the Carolina Care Excellence Award!!!

Celebrating Physicians & APPs’ Exemplary Practice of Carolina Care - School of Medicine Intranet Each year, UNC Hospitals & UNC Faculty Physicians celebrate the empathy and expertise of our physicians and advanced practice providers. Congratulations to this year’s honorees of the 2024 UNC Hospitals & UNC Faculty Physicians Award for Carolina Care Excellence, named below. UNC Hospitals adminis...

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/sports/joel-embiid-bells-palsy-rcna149492

Another reminder that Bell's palsy can affect anyone at anytime. If you notice facial weakness, it is critical to be evaluated by a healthcare provider asap so the correct diagnosis can be made and proper treatment initiated. If you have not made a full recovery from Bell's palsy (and other causes of facial paralysis), there are always treatments that can help improve facial symmetry and function no matter how long it has been.

76ers All-Star Joel Embiid says he was diagnosed with Bell's palsy before the playoffs started Embiid said he’s had various symptoms such as blurred vision and dry eyes.

Last week, UNC medical student Sam O'Rourke traveled to Miami to present research he performed with Dr. Miller. They demonstrated on average patients show 11% more happiness when smiling after DAO excision!!!

Trauma can sometimes cut the facial nerve causing facial paralysis. When this occurs, the facial nerve should be repaired as soon as possible. This patient is just 6 months out from facial nerve repair with Dr. Miller!

George Clooney's experience with Bell's palsy as a teenager was one of the most-read pop culture medical stories of 2023. While the article suggests Bell's palsy typically "resolves" in all patients, many patients will not make a full recovery. Facial paralysis, including chronic Bell's palsy, can be devastating and we know this at the UNC Facial Nerve Center. If you are struggling with facial paralysis, make a consultation appointment today. Best wishes for a safe, healthy, and happy 2024!

www.medpagetoday.com

Happy Holidays to everyone! We look forward to another great year in 2024.

New Procedure at UNC Restores Eyesight, Sensation for Patients with Rare Eye Condition | Newsroom Matthew Miller, MD, Daniel Rubinstein, MD, and Hussam Banna, MD, from the UNC School of Medicine joined forces to perform the first corneal neurotization procedure at UNC, a life-changing surgery for patients who have neurotrophic keratitis.

Last Friday, cornea neurotization surgery was performed at UNC for the first time ever! Dr. Miller performed the surgery alongside Drs. Hussam Banna and Daniel Rubinstein of the Department of Ophthalmology. This procedure can restore sensation to the cornea, helping prevent vision loss in patients!

While Bell's palsy is the most common cause of nonflaccid facial paralysis, there are many other causes including Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, vestibular schwannoma surgery, and trauma. Regardless of the cause, there are many treatments available to help improve facial function and symmetry regardless of how long you have had nonflaccid facial paralysis!!!

This week the UNC Facial Nerve Center celebrated its 2 year anniversary and more than 2,000 patient visits since opening. Thank you for continuing to trust us as we work together toward improved facial function and symmetry!

The UNC Facial Nerve Center is excited to have Dr. Jonas Miller joining the team this year. He recently completed his residency training at Johns Hopkins and is just beginning his fellowship year in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive surgery at UNC. He will be spending a lot of time with the "other" Dr. Miller as he learns to evaluate and treat patients with facial paralysis.

Selective denervation surgery can improve both upper lip and lower lip movement when smiling, helping patients express happiness! You may be a candidate for this procedure regardless of how long you have had facial paralysis! Schedule an evaluation at the UNC Facial Nerve Center to see whether you may benefit from selective denervation surgery or other procedures.

https://www.etonline.com/robert-de-niros-girlfriend-tiffany-chen-says-she-developed-bells-palsy-after-giving-birth-to-his
Pregnant women are at higher risk for developing Bell's palsy compared to nonpregnant women. It typically occurs during the third trimester or peripartum period. If you notice facial asymmetry, seek immediate medical attention so the proper treatment can be started. If you have suffered from pregnancy-associated Bell's palsy that did not fully recover, come see us at the UNC Facial Nerve Center as we specialize in the most cutting edge treatments for facial paralysis. It does not matter how long you have had it for!!! Wishing Tiffany Chen and all those suffering from facial paralysis a speedy recovery!

Robert De Niro's Girlfriend Developed Bell's Palsy After Giving Birth The couple welcomed their daughter, Gia Virginia, in April.

In this article, Dr. Miller and other facial reanimation surgeons around the country discuss the challenges patients with facial paralysis face, and how satisfying it is to work alongside them during their facial reanimation journey. Thank you for letting us work with you!!!

Facial Nerve Centers and New Treatment Options Can Make a Difference for Patients with Facial Paralysis - ENTtoday Facial paralysis, whether caused by a virus, tumor, trauma, or congenital abnormality, can be devastating to patients and significantly impact their quality of life, but new treatments and specialized facial nerve centers can make a big difference.

Congratulations to our graduating residents and thank you for your hard work and dedication to patient care. You will be missed!

Dr. Miller has now performed 70 depressor anguli oris (DAO) excisions since the UNC Facial Nerve Center opened less than 2 years ago! This low-risk procedure can be done in clinic to improve smile symmetry in patients with chronic Bell's palsy, Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, and other causes of facial paralysis. Schedule a consultation to see if you are a candidate!

Thank you Carter and all the other amazing nurses at UNC for the incredible work you do every day!

Please welcome Siri to the UNC Facial Nerve Center team! She will coordinate the clinical research being performed by Dr. Miller as we work to improve outcomes for all patients with facial paralysis!!!

Please join us in welcoming Siri Ravulapally (Clinical Research Coordinator) to the UNC Cochlear Implant Research and UNC Facial Nerve Center teams. Siri received a degree in Clinical Trials Research from Durham Technical and is excited to work on clinical research at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Welcome, Siri!

UNC ENT

The UNC Facial Nerve Center team gathered this weekend to celebrate the teamwork we employ on a daily basis as we work with patients to help them navigate their facial paralysis. Fun was had by all!

The UNC Facial Nerve Center has been working with facial paralysis patients for one-and-a-half years now, and we have already had more than 1,500 visits to the center! Every patient has a unique story and their own goals for recovery, which is why we always create a personalized experience and treatment plan for patients. We are humbled and honored to work with all of our patients. Thank you for trusting us and letting us work with you!!!