Surgical Management of Acute Facial Palsy

Abstract

Bell palsy and traumatic facial nerve injury are two common causes of acute facial palsy. Most patients with Bell palsy recover favorably with medical therapy alone. However, those with complete paralysis (House-Brackmann 6/6), greater than 90% degeneration on electroneurography, and absent electromyography activity may benefit from surgical decompression via a middle cranial fossa (MCF) approach. Patients with acute facial palsy from traumatic temporal bone fracture who meet these same criteria may be candidates for decompression via an MCF or translabyrinthine approach based on hearing status.

Keywords: Bell palsy; Facial nerve; Facial nerve decompression; Facial nerve paralysis; Neurotology; Temporal bone fracture.