Static facial suspension surgery is done to improve facial symmetry in people with flaccid facial paralysis, a type of facial nerve dysfunction.
In flaccid facial paralysis, people may have a complete loss of muscle tone and movement in the facial muscles. This muscle loss can cause eyelid drooping, the inability to close one eye, lower eyelid sagging, loss of midface tone, nasal obstruction, and lower face and mouth drooping.
These effects can affect eating, drinking, breathing through the nose, and speech. It can also hamper the ability to convey emotions with facial expressions.
What Is Static Facial Suspension?
Static facial suspension is a surgery to improve facial evenness at rest in people with flaccid facial paralysis, a type of facial nerve dysfunction. In flaccid facial paralysis, people may have a complete loss of muscle tone and movement in the facial muscles.
Flaccid facial paralysis can cause:
- Eyelid drooping.
- Facial sagging.
- The inability to fully close an eye.
- Lower eyelid sagging.
- Lower face and mouth drooping.
- Nasal twisting.
This can impact eating, drinking, and speech, as well as the ability to convey emotions with facial expressions. People with flaccid facial paralysis often have facial asymmetry at rest and complain of facial drooping.
The goal of static facial suspension is to improve facial symmetry at rest by providing extra support to the affected side of the face. Some people report that this surgery also helps improve functional issues, such as drooling and oral incompetence — the inability to close the mouth completely.
Conditions we treat with static facial suspension
Static facial suspension surgery primarily treats longstanding or irreversible flaccid facial paralysis.
Although this surgery does not restore facial movement, it does offer immediate improvement in facial symmetry when the face is at rest. It can also be combined with other procedures to restore dynamic movement of the face.
It can make people feel more confident in their appearances by:
- Correcting collapsed nostrils and sagging lower lids, improving breathing and eye protection.
- Elevating the corners of the mouth and restoring nasolabial folds (smile lines).
- Lifting and supporting the cheek, eyelid, or mouth to create a more balanced and natural appearance.
- Restoring lip/mouth function to prevent drooling and improve drinking, eating, and speech.
Why Would I Need Static Facial Suspension?
Your doctor might recommend static facial suspension surgery if you have flaccid facial paralysis that causes you to be self-conscious about your appearance when your face is at rest.
Facial paralysis is shown to have a significant emotional and social impact:
- Around 60% of patients meet clinical measures for depression or anxiety.
- Misreading facial expressions during everyday interactions can lead to confusion and discomfort for both the person and those around them.
- Research shows that others often view people with facial paralysis as less happy and less friendly.
Treating facial paralysis is important not only to restore facial function, but also to restore your sense of self-esteem and well-being.
Who’s a candidate for static facial suspension?
You might be a candidate for this surgery if you:
- Have irreversible flaccid facial paralysis.
- Are bothered by facial asymmetry or facial droop at rest.
What Are the Risks and Complications of Static Facial Suspension
This procedure involves general anesthesia, which carries its own risks. Your anesthesiologist will explain these beforehand.
Surgical risks include:
- Bleeding and hematoma — Rare but serious complication; may cause swelling and bruising.
- Facial asymmetry — The restored side of the face won’t regain movement, so differences will be more noticeable when you’re smiling.
- Infection — Occurs in 2% to 5% of cases.
- Numbness — Temporary cheek numbness is common and usually improves over weeks or months.
- Scarring — All incisions leave scars that may be red and raised at first, usually softening over two years. Regular massage helps improve appearance.
- Sling stretching or detaching — The fascia lata sling is initially overtightened to compensate for the natural stretching that occurs over time. If the sling detaches completely or partially, revision surgery may be needed to tighten up the fascia again.
What Should I Expect from Static Facial Suspension?
This surgery is performed under general anesthesia in the operating room. Patients usually spend one night in the hospital after surgery.
Before surgery
On the day of surgery, you will meet with your surgeon and anesthesiologist to ask any questions and sign the necessary paperwork. Because you will be having general anesthesia, you will need somebody to drive you to and from the hospital.
During surgery
- The surgeon will make an incision in the thigh to remove a section of the fascia lata.
- This fascia will be trimmed into strips that can be implanted into the face as slings to support the drooping areas. Typically, four to five strips are used. Strips of fascia lata may be inset to provide support to the nasolabial fold, philtrum, nose, and the corner of the mouth.
- The surgeon will use a cosmetic facelift incision to open the face and inset the fascia lata. The fascia lata will be stitched into its proper position.
- The outer end of the fascia lata sling is then stitched to your cheekbone to anchor the sling in place and reduce the likelihood of it moving.
- Finally, any external incisions are closed with sutures. A drain may be placed for the first day or two to help reduce swelling.
- There is also the possibility of using permanent sutures to provide support to the face. This method is generally quicker and does not require borrowing fascia from the leg.
After surgery
- You will be asked to keep your face and leg wrapped for 72 hours. After 72 hours, these dressings may be removed, and you can shower as usual.
- You may be discharged with a small surgical drain in your thigh that may be removed three to five days later in the clinic. You will be provided with instructions on how to care for this before leaving the hospital.
- You will be provided with an antibiotic ointment to apply to the sutures.
- Apply ice for 48 hours after the procedure and sleep with your head elevated or propped up on several pillows to minimize swelling.
- The sutures may take 10 to 14 days to fully dissolve. Some facial swelling or minor bruising may be observed for two weeks after surgery.
- Avoid any exercise, heavy lifting, or strenuous physical activity for two weeks after surgery, or until you are cleared at your post-operative visit.
Results may be evident immediately after surgery or once the swelling subsides.
What's the success rate of static facial suspension?
Success rates depend on many factors. Your surgeon will discuss the range of potential outcomes for your specific case at your surgical consultation.
By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2026-03-01.
