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Facial Nerve Paralysis and Synkinesis: The Recovery Journey with Dr. Tarek Amer

Facial nerve paralysis is more than just a medical problem; it is an experience that deeply impacts the patient’s mental well-being and quality of life. This paralysis, resulting from an injury to the seventh nerve, affects the person’s ability to control the muscles of the face, leading to difficulty in expression, smiling, and communication. It may cause social isolation and internal suffering that is not visible to the eye.

Symptoms and Signs

Symptoms vary depending on the location and severity of the injury, and may include:

• Inability to close the eye properly, leading to eye dryness

• Deviation of the mouth toward the healthy side

• Weakness in facial expressions, difficulty in eating or drinking

• Corneal ulcers or infections due to the inability to close the eyelid

Treatment: Time is Crucial

In cases of early paralysis, medication may sometimes be effective, along with drops and ointments to protect the eye. In advanced cases, precise surgical intervention is required, and the choice of procedure depends on:

• The duration since the onset of paralysis

• The presence of healthy, responsive muscles

• Whether the affected nerve can be used or an alternative nerve source, such as the hypoglossal nerve, is available

Synkinesis: A New Challenge After Recovery

After partial recovery from facial nerve paralysis, the patient may suffer from what is known as “facial synkinesis,” where abnormal involuntary movements occur when attempting to express emotions. For example, the eye may close involuntarily when smiling. This synkinesis results from disorganized nerve growth after injury, causing incorrect connections between nerve fibers and facial muscles.

Treatment Options for Synkinesis

• Botox Injections: These help relax overactive muscles and improve motor coordination.

• Surgery: In severe cases, selective nerve release or the removal of specific muscles may be necessary.

About Dr. Tarek Amer: Leadership and Trust

Dr. Tarek Amer, Professor of Plastic Surgery and Microsurgery at Cairo University, is one of the leading names in facial nerve paralysis treatment in the Middle East.

He graduated in 1994 from Cairo University’s Faculty of Medicine, then obtained his Master’s and Doctorate degrees. He continued his studies abroad and became a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and a Fellow of Queen Mary Hospital and Chung-Jang University in Taiwan. He has published numerous research papers in international medical journals and participated in global conferences to share his expertise and develop this field.

Our Vision
Dr. Tarek Amer aims to establish a distinguished regional center for treating facial nerve paralysis, combining advanced surgical expertise, compassionate patient care, and ongoing scientific research.

Our Mission

• Providing personalized, integrated care for each case

• Offering physical and psychological support to patients

• Educating and empowering patients to understand their condition

Restoring a patient’s smile is not just a medical achievement; it is the restoration of their life, self-confidence, and relationships with others.

With Dr. Tarek Amer, we do not only restore movement to muscles; we restore life to features and spirit.

Dr. Tarek Amer Center: Treatment for Facial Nerve Paralysis and Synkinesis

In the world of precision surgery, few truly change lives. Dr. Tarek Amer is one of those rare few.

For over two decades, Dr. Amer has dedicated his life to treating one of the most complex and life-altering conditions: facial nerve paralysis. With deeply rooted expertise and unwavering passion, his name has become synonymous with hope and professionalism throughout the Middle East.

An Exceptional Academic Journey

Dr. Tarek Amer graduated from Kasr Al-Ainy Medical School—one of the oldest and most prestigious medical institutions in the Middle East. He went on to become a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, and later a Fellow at Queen Mary Hospital and Chung Gung University in Taiwan, specializing in advanced microsurgery.

But his pursuit of excellence didn’t stop at education. He has contributed to the field through influential research published in leading European and American journals and represented Egypt globally through lectures and training programs, becoming an ambassador of surgical excellence.

Facial Nerve Paralysis: A Condition That Touches the Soul

Seventh nerve paralysis causes significant facial distortion—an impact that goes far beyond aesthetics. It robs patients of their ability to express, to smile, to connect.

Isolation begins. Social interaction fades. Confidence quietly erodes. This affects work, relationships, and quality of life itself.

This is where specialized care becomes essential—not only to restore physical appearance but to rebuild the patient’s connection with themselves and the world around them.

A Human Mission Before a Medical One

At Dr. Tarek Amer’s specialized center, surgery isn’t just a medical procedure—it’s a journey toward renewed life, confidence, and joy. Each patient is treated as a unique story, deserving of personalized care that begins with precise diagnosis, follows with a tailored treatment plan, and ends with maximized recovery and emotional healing.

A Vision That Looks to the Future

The center aims to be a leading regional and international hub for the treatment of facial nerve paralysis through:

• Comprehensive care led by a multidisciplinary team of plastic surgeons, neurologists, physical therapists, and mental health professionals

• Clear, compassionate patient education and support throughout their journey

• Advancing the field through ongoing research and training

• Utilizing the latest surgical and non-surgical technologies to improve outcomes and quality of life

Aesthetic Surgery with an Artistic Eye

Here, aesthetic surgery is not just a science—it is a refined art where medical expertise meets a sensitive appreciation for natural beauty. The goal is always to enhance, not exaggerate, and to help each person shine with confidence—without losing what makes them uniquely themselves.

Dr. Tarek Amer Center… Where Precision Meets Compassion

Whether you’re seeking expert care for facial paralysis or hoping to restore your natural features and confidence, here you’ll find the professionalism that reassures you, the care that supports you, and—most importantly—the compassion that brings back your hope.

📞 Contact us today, and let’s begin your journey toward a brighter smile.

Amer Center for Facial Paralysis

Dr. Tarek Amer, Professor of Plastic and Microsurgery at the Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, is a pioneering figure in the treatment of facial nerve paralysis in the Middle East. Since the year 2000, he has dedicated his career to this highly specialized field.

Dr. Tarek Amer: A Middle Eastern Pioneer in Facial Nerve Paralysis Treatment

As a professor of plastic and microsurgery at Kasr Al-Ainy Medical School, Cairo University, Dr. Tarek Amer is one of the leading surgeons in seventh nerve procedures and microsurgical interventions since 2000.

Facial Nerve Paralysis: More Than a Muscle Problem

Facial nerve paralysis causes significant facial deformity, which deeply affects the patient psychologically and socially. It disrupts communication, leads to social withdrawal, and negatively impacts professional and personal progress.

Causes of Facial Paralysis

There are numerous causes of facial nerve paralysis, too many to cover in one article. Among the most common are brain tumors, nerve damage during tumor removal, and skull base fractures. The facial nerve can also be injured in facial trauma resulting in direct nerve severance, or during surgeries involving the parotid gland.

However, not all cases are due to direct injury from tumors or trauma. The facial nerve can also be affected by certain diseases or inflammatory conditions.

Bell’s Palsy: A Common Misunderstanding

Many mistakenly label all facial paralysis as Bell’s Palsy, but in reality, it’s a specific condition that arises without trauma, surgery, or direct nerve injury. It affects people of all ages and genders, is more frequent during pregnancy, and increases with exposure to cold air drafts or in patients with diabetes.

Facial Synkinesis

Facial synkinesis is a condition that may occur after facial nerve damage, often due to Bell’s Palsy. When the nerve begins to recover, the facial muscles might not function properly, leading to involuntary movements. For example, attempting to smile might cause the eye to close unintentionally.

New Hope with Every Step of Treatment

Despite the challenges of facial nerve paralysis and synkinesis, hope remains strong. With major advancements in microsurgery, physical therapy, and psychological support, many patients can regain significant facial function and greatly improve their quality of life.

At Dr. Tarek Amer’s Center, the condition is treated not just as a physical issue, but as a deeply human experience deserving of comprehensive care. From precise diagnosis to advanced surgical techniques and emotional support, every effort is made to help patients regain their confidence—and their smile.

Because every face tells a story… and every smile deserves to return.