Decompression surgery in the treatment of facial paralysis following temporal bone fracture

OBJECTIVE To estimate the clinical effect of decompression surgery of facial nerve paralysis in temporal bone fracture (TBF) and to address some of the unanswered questions regarding management of facial nerve paralysis in TBF. METHODS A consecutive clinical series was reviewed retrospectively. 16 cases, who underwent decompression surgery for facial nerve paralysis due to TBF involving the perigeniculate ganglion region, were analyzed. Patients were operated on 13-96 days after trauma. A transmastoid estralabyrinthine and media cranial fossa-mastoid approach were used in all cases. House -Brackmann facial nerve gra ding system was employed for estimating facial nerve function. RESULTS Normal or subnormal facial nerve function (H-B1 or H-B 2) was achieved in 11/16 cases (70 %) treated in 2 months and good functional results were also obtained in 5 patients operated on 3 months after trauma evaluated at 0.5~1.5year after surgery. CONCLUSION Facial nerve decompression is effective on facial palsy caused by temporal bone fracture. Decompression surgery should be carried out as soon as possible within 8 weeks after trauma.