Abstract
Retrospectively we reviewed facial nerve management for the patients who underwent a removal of cancer in the external auditory canal. Eighteen patients were enrolled for this study. Ten patients had undergone lateral petrosectomy. In seven out of ten patients, facial nerves were kept intact and no facial palsy was noted. In three patients, facial nerve rerouting (1), temporally section and suture (2) were performed. These patients showed permanent partial facial palsy, House-Brackmann grade (H-B) II to III, after the surgery.
Eight patients had suffered from subtotal temporal bone removal. Four out of 8 patients had undergone facial- hypoglossal nerve suture for reconstruction of facial nerve function. These patients showed recovery of facial nerve function to H-B grade III or IV. Rest of four had had no interventions for recovery of nerve function and showed complete palsy after the surgery. However, two patients underwent reconstruction surgery several years after tumor removal and showed partial recovery of facial nerve function to H-B grade III. Complete removals of tumor with sufficient margin was required for the malignant lesions. According to surgical interventions and damages, facial nerve function may have been deteriorated. Although the facial nerve was damaged, appropriate managements for facial nerve including reconstruction surgery or rehabilitation will help recovery of the facial nerve function.
