Stanford Facial Nerve Center

11/07/2019

This week, we are touching on more conditions treated!
https://stanfordhealthcare.org/medical-conditions/ear-nose-and-throat/acoustic-neuroma.html

At the Stanford Facial Nerve Center, our care team treats a number of facial nerve conditions and symptoms.
Acoustic Neuroma is a noncancerous brain tumor that grows on the vestibular nerve, which is responsible for hearing and balance. As the tumor grows, it can push on nearby tissues and disrupt your hearing, balance, or the function of the muscles in your face.

Treatments for acoustic neuromas include various approaches to surgery, stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), radiation therapy, or a combination of surgery, stereotactic radiosurgery, and radiation therapy. A type of radiation treatment developed here at Stanford, known as CyberKnife, is often used to treat acoustic neuromas. Your doctor will guide you through the options to help you decide what is best for you.

Click on the link to learn more!

10/31/2019

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nMmcobZPY8

The Stanford Facial Nerve Center offers world-class multidisciplinary treatment for facial nerve disorders. Thanks to our patients and wonderful care team!

Jon-Paul Pepper, MD, facial plastic surgeon, discusses the world-class treatment for facial nerve dysfunction and facial paralysis at Stanford Health Care. H...

10/24/2019

Stanford is an Academic Medical Center (AMC), which is a type of hospital setting where doctors teach the entire spectrum of medical education. Students range from beginning medical students to fully licensed and practicing doctors completing advanced sub-specialty training. Stanford Medicine is a partnership between Stanford University School of Medicine and Stanford Health Care. Since Stanford is a teaching hospital, you can expect to meet many providers and providers in training.

- Attending Physician: a doctor who supervises doctors in training or in medical school

- Fellow: a doctor doing postgraduate level work and specializing in care of patients with specific conditions

- Resident: a doctor who has graduated from medical school and is in training (also called "residency") here at Stanford. A resident is also called an intern

- Medical Student: a student who is currently enrolled in medical school with the goal of becoming a doctor

10/17/2019

INNOVATION HIGHLIGHTS

Multi-specialty coordinated care: All specialists work together at the Stanford Facial Nerve Center. Having otolarnygologists (ear, nose, throat, head and neck specialists), facial plastic surgeons, neurologists (nerve specialists), opthalmologists (eye specialists), and other doctors - plus specially trained nurses and rehabilitation specialists - working side by side enables us to make sure you get complete care for any facial nerve disorder.

10/10/2019

WHAT WE OFFER YOU FOR FACIAL NERVE CARE

- Specialized expertise in restoring both form and function to individuals with facial paralysis

- Advanced treatment strategies, including facial reanimation, rehabilitation and speech treatments, counseling and behavioral care, and eye care and surgery

- Team-based care that brings together facial plastic surgeons, neurologists, opthalmologists, rehabilitation specialists, and others

- Complete support services to help you focus on your total health and wellness

- Easy access to a broad range of facial nerve specialties and support services at one convenient location

10/03/2019

This week we are touching on another Frequently Asked Question!

FAQ: What should I bring to my first appointment?

For your first appointment, you should plan to bring any related test results and your medical history to share with your doctor. Our team will confirm the information you should bring with you before your first appointment.

You will also need to have the following information with you when you check in:
- Insurance card
- A form of payment for any co-pays or deductibles
- One of the following forms of photo ID:
- Valid state-issued driver's license
- Valid state-issued ID card
- Valid passport
- Valid U.S. Milityary ID card
- Valid U.S. Permanent Resident Card

09/26/2019

We take care of the details, so you can focus on your health and wellness. Our facial paralysis specialists work as a team to coordinate every aspect of your care. We also offer a wide range of support services to promote healing and improve your quality of life:

- Financial Counseling
- Guest Services
- Integrative medicine (acupuncture, massage)
- Interpreter Services
- Lifestyle modifications support
- Spiritual Care
- Stanford Health Library
- International Medicine Services
- MyHealth Patient Portal

09/19/2019

Our goals are to improve the form or shape of the face as well as functions such as speaking and drinking liquids. In addition, some treatments may improve a person's ability to smile.

FACIAL REANIMATION
Treatment offered at our center include the following and many more options:

- Nerve transfer surgery, where a nerve from another part of the face or body is connected to a facial nerve to restore movement

- Muscle transfer surgery, connecting a muscle from another part of the body to facial muscles

- Tendon transfer surgery, involving connection of tendon and bone from the side of the face to the corner of the mouth, designed to improve speaking, eating, and smiling

- Eyelid weights to help lids close more effectively

- Fat grafting, with fat from the stomach or thighs injected into the face

- Stative sling surgery, to help improve the symmetry of your mouth

- Injectable drugs (such as Botox botulinum toxin)

- Injectable "fillers" to help improve speech and your ability to close your lips

- Face lift and brow lift procedures

COUNSELING AND BEHAVIORAL CARE
In addition to physical effects, facial paralysis can have emotional and psychological effects. The connection between our faces and our identities, our jobs, and our everyday life makes the disorder one of the most challenging as well as one of the most personal to manage. Access to a behavioral health professional is a critical component of the care we offer at the Facial Nerve Center.

OPTHALMIC EYE SURGERY AND CARE
A critical issue for people with facial paralysis is the health of their eye on the paralyzed side of their face. All people with facial paralysis should have an examination by an opthalmologist to determine the health of their cornea (the transparent outer layer of the eye). In addition, some people who are unable to fully close their eyes may experience dryness or irritation. To treat these and other eye-related conditions, our team includes opthalmologists with extensive experience specifically with facial nerve cases.

09/12/2019

ATTENTION REFERRING PHYSICIANS!

Stanford Health Care provides comprehensive services to refer and track patients, as well as the latest information and news for physicians and office staff. For help with all referral needs and questions, visit: https://stanfordhealthcare.org/health-care-professionals/referring-physicians/contact-us.html

PHYSICIAN HELPLINE
Phone: 1-866-742-4811
Fax: 650-320-9443
Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5pm

HOW TO REFER
Fax a referral form with supporting documentation to 650-320-9443

SUBMIT YOUR CASE TO OUR MONTHLY NERVE CONFERENCE
To present or submit a case for our review, please contact us at 650-736-FACE

Our nurses are happy to facilitate and monitor physician referral requests for you and your office staff. Contact the helpline at 1-866-742-4811.

09/05/2019

https://med.stanford.edu/ohns/healthcare/facialnervecenter/conditions-we-treat/about-the-facial-nerve.html

This week's post touches on the Facial Nerve.

The facial nerve is the 7th cranial nerve and carries nerve fibers that control facial movement and expression. The facial nerve also carries nerves that are involved in taste to the anterior 2/3 of the tongue and producing tears (lacrimal gland). It has small branches involved in moderating our sensitivity to noise volume (stapedius muscle) and several other muscles not involved in routine facial expression.

The cells that transmit information within the facial nerve originate in the base of the brain, or the brain stem, in a region called the pons. The nerve must therefore travel through the base of the skull in order to reach the face. Along this route, the facial nerve travels in close proximity to the eighth cranial nerve, the vestibulocochlear nerve, which is responsible for hearing and balance. The facial nerve exits the base of the skull at the stylomastoid foramen, which is an opening in the bone located near the base of the ear.

Click on the link to learn more!

The facial nerve is the 7th cranial nerve and carries nerve fibers that control facial movement and expression. The facial nerve also carries nerves that are involved in taste to the anterior 2/3 of the tongue and producing tears (lacrimal gland). It has small branches involved in moderating our sen...

08/29/2019

Frequently Asked Question:

What insurance plans does Stanford Health Care accept?

Stanford Health Care participates in a wide range of insurance plans. View the list of insurance plans accepted by Stanford Health Care:

Learn more about the types of insurance Stanford Health Care accepts, including insurance plans through Covered California, Medicare and employer-sponsored insurance plans.

08/22/2019

ATTENTION ALL INTERNATIONAL PATIENTS

Our International Medicine Services team can help you find the right doctor, estimate medical costs, book travel, and get you information about Stanford programs and services.

Please call (650) 723-8561 or email IMS@Stanfordhealthcare.org to get started.

IMS Services include providing help with the following:

- Information about services, programs and physicians
- Medical cost estimates and billing arrangements
- Identification of a physician to meet each patient's unique needs
- Appointment scheduling, including consultations and follow-up care
- Facilitate communications with physicians, family and friends and home
- Interpretation services in multiple languages
- Transportation and accommodation