Delayed Surgical Treatment for Long Onset Facial Paralysis

Abstract

Objectives:

Present qualitative evidence that supports surgical intervention to those patients with long onset facial paralysis.

Methods:

Retrospective study of clinical and surgical records of patients operated from July 2006 to September 2012. Twenty-two patients with long onset facial paralysis were operated at a specialized center. Patients underwent surgical facial nerve decompression. Preoperatory and outcomes were recorded with the House-Brackmann facial function score (HBs). Intraoperative stimulation response was obtained as indicator prognostic outcome for facial nerve function.

Results:

Patients who undergo surgical decompression obtain reduction in the HBs when intraoperative stimulation is obtained.

Conclusions:

Surgical decompression of the facial nerve is an option for subjects with long onset facial nerve paralysis with improvement of facial function through time.