Surgical outcomes of transmastoid facial nerve decompression: Preliminary data from a Malaysian tertiary hospital from 2013-2018

Abstract

Introductions: Facial nerve palsy (FNP) occurs in 7-10% of temporal bone fractures. The aim of this study was to review the surgical outcome of nine patients with severe to complete traumatic facial nerve (FN) injury.

Methods: The patients were evaluated clinically and FNP was graded using the House Brackmann (HB) scale. High resolution computerized tomography (HRCT) of the temporal bone was used to evaluate temporal bone fractures. Transmastoid facial nerve decompression was performed and the facial nerve function was re-evaluated in subsequent follow ups.

Results: There were five cases with immediate onset and four with delayed onset of FNP. Only three cases had pure temporal bone fractures, the others were associated with other life threatening injuries. The sensitivity and specificity of HRCT temporal bone to detect the obvious facial canal fracture line were 50% and 40% respectively. 75% of patients with immediate onset of HB grade VI FN palsy who were operated within a month recovered completely. Surgeries for the delayed onset FNP were performed at a mean of 70 days (range 51-94). All recovered to HB grade II-III from severe FNP.

Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that transmastoid FN decompression surgery was beneficial to traumatic nerve injury. Early intervention resulted in better outcomes. However, FN function could still be salvaged even in delayed FN decompression.