Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the results and effectiveness of transmastoid facial nerve decompression surgery in patients with intratemporal peripheral facial paralysis (PFD).

METHODS: The study included results of transmastoid facial nerve decompression of 44 patients (25 males, 19 females; mean age 43 years; range, 2.5 to 78 years) who had intratemporal PFP due to various etiologies between January 2000 and January 2016.

RESULTS: Of the patients, 19 (41.3%) had Bell's paralysis-induced, 19 (41.3%) had chronic otitis media (COM)-induced, six (13%) had traumatic, and two (4.3%) had iatrogenic PFP. Significant recovery was detected in facial nerve functions in 67% of patients with traumatic PFP, in 84% of those with COM-induced PFP, in 67% of those with iatrogenic PFP, and in all of those with Bell's paralysis-induced PFP. Two patients with iatrogen PFP and undergone anastomosis had satisfactory results. Complications included moderate sensorineural hearing loss in one patient, conductive hearing loss in five patients and mixed hearing loss in one patient.

CONCLUSION: Facial nerve decompression provided more rapid and superior functional recovery in patients with severe facial nerve paralysis and those with no sufficient recovery with medical treatment.