Abstract
Objective: To evaluate effectiveness of a modified technique of facial nerve decompression with respect to improvement in facial function and hearing preservation.
Method: Retrospective analysis conducted between 2002 and 2005 of 15 cases of posttraumatic facial nerve paralysis. A modified posterior tympanotomy approach was used in these patients. There were 13 males and 2 females aged between 12 and 43 years (mean age, 23.6 years). All the cases were operated by the senior author. Only patients with immediate onset facial paralysis were included in the analysis. These patients had received a full course of corticosteroids as conservative treatment before the surgical exploration. Intervention: Transmastoid facial nerve decompression using the modified technique. Outcome measurement: The clinical, audiometric, and radiologic evaluation was done for all patients. Analysis: Recovery of facial function and hearing status.
Results: Eleven out of 15 patients had recovery of facial function to House Brackmann I-II. Two cases had HB III function. Two patients with bilateral paralysis had HB IV function. Only 1 case reported hearing deterioration. The rest of the patients maintained their preoperative hearing status.
Conclusion: This technique provides insight into a favorable way of doing facial nerve decompression with an aim to considerably preserve the hearing.
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