Ten-year-old Breanna Hinchcliffe has never been able to smile.

Breanna has a condition called moebius syndrome, which causes the permanent paralysis of her face and prevents her from showing emotions.

Today, RCH plastic surgeons will conduct surgery to correct the condition and help Breanna move her face.

The surgery involves removing muscle from Breanna’s thigh and inserting it into her left cheek.  This procedure was successfully performed on the right side of Breanna’s face last March.

Coincidentally, the surgery falls on Moebius Awareness Day.

Plastic surgeon Sian Fairbank says the surgery will improve Breanna’s life considerably.

“The operation will give Breanna a good chance of improving her communications with others,” Ms Fairbank said.

Currently Breanna’s family tunes in to her body language and tone of voice to establish how she’s feeling.

Read the full story at Herald Sun Online: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/we-cant-wait-to-see-her-first-smile/story-e6frf7kx-1225993312367

Right: Breanna Hinchcliffe with her parents Heidi and Darren. Photo courtesy of the Herald Sun.