Innovative surgical approach for trigeminal trophic syndrome: Successful healing of facial ulcers through cross-face nerve grafts

BackgroundTrigeminal trophic syndrome (TTS) is a rare condition caused by damage to the trigeminal nervous system, resulting in sensory disturbances and ulcers on the face. Treating TTS is complex and often requires medical or surgical intervention like flap reconstruction. However, there is limited research on surgical treatments for TTS ulcers.MethodsWe report the case of a 19-year-old man with TTS. We employed an innovative surgical technique involving dual cross-face nerve grafts. In the initial procedure, corneal neuralization was accomplished using supraorbital and cross-face infraorbital nerve graft. The subsequent operation utilized auricular composite tissue flap transplantation repair and cross-face mental nerve graft.ResultsThis procedure led to rapid and sustained healing, as well as aesthetic improvement.ConclusionCross-face nerve grafts is a promising tool in the treatment of refractory ulcers caused by diseases such as TTS.