{
  "abstract": "Background\n\nFacial paralysis results in multifaceted functional and aesthetic deficits, including lagophthalmos, oral incompetence, and profound asymmetry. Although surgical reanimation is the primary treatment for functional restoration, hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers have emerged as a minimally invasive adjunctive tool for soft-tissue support and aesthetic refinement.Methods\n\nA comprehensive narrative review was conducted using PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library databases through November 15, 2025. This study follows the rigorous methodological framework for narrative synthesis, emphasizing clarity of scope, reflexivity, and thematic sufficiency. Studies evaluating HA fillers for lagophthalmos, oral competence, and facial symmetry were analyzed.Results\n\nData from prospective and retrospective studies indicate that HA fillers can notably improve lagophthalmos by providing mechanical lid loading, reducing residual gaps from an average of 5.5 to 0.8 mm. In the perioral region, HA injections have been shown to increase labial strength by 1.4-fold, reducing bolus spillage and improving speech articulation. Patient-reported outcomes show substantial improvements in psychosocial distress (P < 0.0001) and quality of life. However, evidence for neuromuscular recovery is absent, and there is a documented risk of vascular complications, including central retinal artery occlusion.Conclusions\n\nHA fillers provide immediate mechanical and aesthetic benefits as an adjunctive treatment for facial paralysis and should be considered complementary to surgical interventions where indicated; however, they do not restore nerve function and cannot replace surgery. Future research must focus on standardized protocols and the long-term safety of periorbital injections.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "From the Faculty of Medicine, Allama Iqbal Medical College, Lahore, Pakistan.",
    "Faculty of Medicine, University of Mouloud Maameri, Tizi Ouzou, Algeria.",
    "Faculty of Medicine, University of Balamand, Beirut, Lebanon.",
    "Brain Function Research Group, Department of Physiology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.",
    "Department of Dermatology, Hospital das Clínicas of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.",
    "Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Hospital das Clínicas of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil."
  ],
  "article_type": "research article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 7,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Minahil Iqbal"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Amina Berour"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Macram Wakim"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        3
      ],
      "name": "Zuha Ajlan"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        4
      ],
      "name": "Nancy Emmanuel"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        5
      ],
      "name": "Gregory Nicolas"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        5
      ],
      "name": "Juan P Menéndez"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/1nggyhfmkx68v.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.1097/gox.0000000000008089",
  "fulltext_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13694087",
  "id": "1nggyhfmkx68v",
  "issns": [
    "2169-7574"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42921614",
  "language": "eng",
  "licence": "CC-BY-NC-ND",
  "licence_label": "CC BY-NC-ND",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "2728|Facial Nerve Paralysis Treatment and Research"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7223344465",
  "pdf_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13694087?pdf=render",
  "pmcid": "PMC13694087",
  "pmid": "42921614",
  "published": "2026-10-23",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/1nggyhfmkx68v.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:20:33Z",
      "native_id": "MED:42921614",
      "source": "europepmc",
      "url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42921614"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "openalex:2728|Facial Nerve Paralysis Treatment and Research",
      "subfield": "neurology"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Role of Hyaluronic Acid Fillers in Facial Paralysis.",
  "title_text": "Role of Hyaluronic Acid Fillers in Facial Paralysis.",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:20:33Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/1nggyhfmkx68v",
  "venue": "Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open",
  "versions": []
}