Facial nerve decompression surgery of labyrinthine segment with middle ear cholesteatoma

OBJECTIVE To discuss the clinical features of patients with facial nerve paralysis caused by middle ear cholesteatoma involved labyrinthine segment.To investigate the outcomes of facial nerve decompression for labyrinthine segment by transmastoid approach.METHODS Four patients with facial nerve paralysis due to middle ear cholesteatoma involved labyrinthine segment were retrospectively reviewed.All patients accepted modified radical mastoidectomy and facial nerve decompression by transmastoid approach.Their disease courses were 4 weeks to 3 months.The initial grades of facial paralysis according to the House-Brackmann grading system were grade III to VI.RESULTS In the 3-6 months follow-up,the HouseBrackmann grading of all the patients were grade I to II.CONCLUSION Modified radical mastoidectomy and transmastoid approach facial nerve decompression in time can achieve a significant effect in patients with facial nerve paralysis involved labyrinthine segment due to middle ear cholesteatoma.