On Friday, February 23rd and Saturday, February 24th, Pacific Neuroscience Institute and Dr. Amit Kochhar, Director of the Facial Nerve Disorders Program, proudly hosted the inaugural Facial Nerve Symposium. This two-day event was a momentous occasion, featuring esteemed guest speakers from around the country, live patient demonstrations, and an invaluable cadaver lab experience. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our sponsors whose support made this event possible: Axogen, Checkpoint Surgical, KLS Martin, and the Linda Tallen & David Paul Kane Educational and Research Foundation.
Day One: A Deep Dive into Facial Nerve Disorders
Friday morning commenced with engaging discussions led by familiar faces from Pacific Neuroscience Institute. Dr. Walavan Sivakumar moderated a thought-provoking panel discussion on “Interesting Case Discussion: Vestibular Schwannoma,” featuring insights from Dr. Courtney Voelker, Dr. Garni Barkhadourian, and Dr. Gregory Lekovic of the University of Southern California Neurosurgery team.
One of the standout sessions of the day was Dr. Shanthi Gowrinathan’s enlightening presentation on the “Psychiatric Management of Patients with Skull Base Tumors.” Dr. Gowrinathan emphasized the importance of a relearning process following brain surgery, highlighting the critical first step of assessing and optimizing brain function to facilitate effective relearning.
Keynote Address by Dr. Patrick Byrne
Our keynote speaker, Dr. Patrick Byrne, Chair of the Cleveland Clinic Head and Neck Institute, delivered an engaging presentation on “Facial Reanimation 2024″ offering invaluable updates on multiple vector and periocular reanimation techniques for cases of longstanding paralysis. Dr. Byrne’s expertise provided attendees with insights into cutting-edge advancements in facial nerve rehabilitation.
Insights into Eye Protection and Surgical Management
Dr. Howard Krauss shared his expertise on “Protecting the Eyes in Facial Paralysis,” shedding light on the intricate relationship between facial paralysis and ocular health. Attendees gained a deeper understanding of the challenges and strategies for safeguarding eye health in patients with facial nerve disorders.
The day concluded with an engaging session led by Dr. Babak Azizzadeh with the CENTER for Advanced Facial Plastic Surgery, focusing on the “Surgical Management of Facial Synkinesis with Selective Neurolysis”. Dr. Azizzadeh’s practical insights provided attendees with valuable techniques for addressing facial synkinesis effectively.
Day Two: Practical Applications and Hands-On Experience
Saturday began with a session on the “Management of Balance, Facial Paralysis, and Synkinesis in Patients with 7th and 8th Cranial Nerve Deficit” by Joseph Park, PT, DPT, and Kelli Baruch, PT, DPT, from Ascend Physical Therapy & Balance Center. Attendees learned about the many benefits of physical therapy for facial nerve paralysis.
Dr. Kochhar then led a captivating live patient demonstration on “Hands-on Filler and Botox Injections for Synkinesis and Facial Asymmetry,” showcasing effective techniques for improving facial symmetry and symptoms using Botox. The day concluded with attendees honing their surgical skills in the groundbreaking cadaver lab—an unparalleled learning opportunity.
Looking Ahead
We extend our sincerest thanks to all our attendees, who traveled from far and wide, and our esteemed guest speakers, who journeyed from across the country. Your participation was integral to the success of this event. As we reflect on the insights gained and connections forged, we eagerly anticipate the second annual Facial Nerve Symposium. Stay tuned for more details!
