Facial nerve anastomosis for facial paralysis resulting from surgery of cerebellopontine angle tumors

Objective To evaluate the efficiency and functional improvement of the facial nerve anastomosis for facial paralysis after cerebellontine angle (CPA) tumor surgery.Methods The clinical data of seven patients with facial paralysis after CPA tumors surgery underwent nerve anastomosis were analyzed retrospectively.House-Brackmann (H-B) grading was used to evaluate the pre-,post-operative and follow-up status.The end-end anastomosis of facial nerve was performed in one case,and facial-hypoglossal nerve anastomosis in six.Results All patients were followed-up.The mean time of follow-up was 23 months (ranged from 1 to 48 months).Among seven cases,the facial nerve function was improved in five cases,unchanged in one,and could not be evaluated in one because of short-time follow-up.The postoperative HB grades were Ⅱ in one case,Ⅲ in two and Ⅳ in two.Conclusions Facial nerve anatomosis was a useful treatment for facial paralysis after CPA tumors resection and could improve the facial function. Key words: Facial nerve injuries;  Facial Palsy;  Cerebellopontine angle;  Nerve anastomosis