PRIMARY RECONSTRUCTION OF EXTIRPATED FACIAL NERVE DURING PAROTID GLAND CARCINOMA SURGERY USING NERVE GRAFT FROM THE CERVICAL PLEXUS

Abstract

In surgical treatment of parotid gland carcinoma, the facial nerve should often be resected due to tumor extension. In particular, when the main branch of a facial nerve is excised, reconstruction of the facial nerve is rather difficult. We reviewed the records of 5 parotid gland carcinoma patients who received radical extirpation of the entire parotid gland and also received primary reconstruction with nerve graft using the cervical plexus at Kurume University Hospital between 2001 and 2005. After the reconstruction, the facial paralysis recovered gradually and the median score of facial paralysis was 32 points. Because the cervical plexus has multiple branches, it is easy to remove during surgery of the neck. In conclusion, primary reconstructive surgery with nerve graft from the cervical plexus is highly recommended in the event of facial nerve extirpation.