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Review
. 2024 Aug 1;32(4):234-238.
doi: 10.1097/MOO.0000000000000976. Epub 2024 Apr 19.

Management of facial nerve trauma

Rachel C Greiner  1 , Gavriel D Kohlberg  2 , G Nina Lu  2
Affiliations
Review

Management of facial nerve trauma

Rachel C Greiner et al. Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. .

Abstract

Purpose of review: To present the current literature on management of facial nerve disorder secondary to trauma, with a focus on the utility of electrodiagnostic testing in this setting.

Recent findings: Patients with facial palsy related to temporal bone fractures should be started on high-dose corticosteroids as early as possible. Recent literature on the benefit of surgical intervention in the setting of temporal bone fracture is mixed. Some studies support early surgical decompression whereas others have found no benefit compared with conservative treatment.

Summary: The management of facial nerve trauma is based on location and extent of injury. Extratemporal trauma and transected nerve should be treated with surgical exploration and tension-free coaptation ideally within 72 h. There are no guidelines for intratemporal facial nerve trauma. Surgical decompression compared with medical management is debated in the literature without consensus and more large studies are needed.

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References

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    1. Guntinas-Lichius O, Volk GF, Olsen KD, et al. Facial nerve electrodiagnostics for patients with facial palsy: a clinical practice guideline. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2020; 277:1855–1874.

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