Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 25, 2026

Identification and Protection of the Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve during Transoral Robotic Thyroidectomy
Published on: October 24, 2025
Recurrent facial palsy: The prognostic value of electrophysiological tests according to recurrence interval
Shintaro Yoshihara1, Sayaka Suzuki1, Tatsuya Yamasoba1
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
Objective:
The prognostic value of nerve excitability tests (NET) and electroneurography (ENoG) for recurrent peripheral facial palsy is poorly understood. This study aimed to evaluate the association between NET/ENoG results for the current palsy and recovery.
Methods:
We extracted data on patients who were referred to our hospital (2005-2017). Adult patients with recurrent peripheral facial palsy who underwent NET and ENoG within 3 weeks of onset were retrospectively analyzed (n = 26). Favorable recovery was defined as the achievement of either House-Brackmann grade I/II or the same level of facial movement as before the current palsy. We evaluated the predictive NET/ENoG results by making comparison between the favorable recovery group and the unfavorable recovery group, which were subdivided based on the length of time after the previous palsy.
Results:
In terms of patients with a >4-year recurrent interval, 8 out of 12 patients achieved favorable recovery. Compared to the favorable recovery group, the unfavorable recovery group had significantly higher NET results (9.03 mA vs. -1.08 mA, p = 0.017). Also, the unfavorable recovery group had significantly higher NET results in patients with a >2-year recurrent interval (9.03 mA vs. 1.06 mA, p = 0.036). However, other test results (NET in ≤4-year recurrent interval/all 26 patients, and ENoG in >4-year recurrent interval/≤4-year recurrent interval/all 26 patients) did not differ significantly between patients with favorable and unfavorable recovery.
Conclusion:
NET might be a useful prediction method in patients with at least a few years interval between the previous and the current palsy.
Related Concept Videos
Prediction Intervals
However, the point estimate is most likely not the exact value of the population parameter, but close to it. After calculating point estimates, we construct interval estimates, called confidence intervals or prediction intervals. This prediction interval comprises a range of values unlike the point estimate and is a better predictor of the observed sample value, y.
Confidence Intervals
A...
Facial Feedback Hypothesis
Muscles for Facial Expressions
Uncertainty: Confidence Intervals
Interpretation of Confidence Intervals
Confidence intervals have confidence coefficients that are crucial for their interpretation. The most common confidence coefficients are 0.90, 0.95, and 0.99, which can be written as percentages–90%, 95%, and 99%, respectively.
Suppose a person calculates a confidence interval with a confidence coefficient of 0.95. In that case, they can...

