Post-traumatic facial nerve paralysis: three cases of delayed temporal bone exploration with recovery

No consensus exists today on the management of immediate-onset post-traumatic facial nerve paralysis. Controversy surrounds the timing of surgical intervention and the role of electrophysiologic testing. Three patients are presented who sustained immediate, complete facial paralysis following closed head trauma. They did not have prompt facial nerve decompression. In each case, electroneurography and electromyography showed complete nerve degeneration and denervated muscle. Despite the results of the electrophysiologic tests, all patients underwent late surgical decompression of the nerve: one at 2 1/2 months, one at 3 months, and one as late as 14 months after injury. They all had good recovery of facial function within 6 months of surgery. Early surgical intervention has been advocated in post-traumatic facial nerve paralysis if any benefit is to be gained. It is thought that late surgical intervention is unlikely to yield further improvement in the facial nerve function. Experience with these cases suggests that surgical exploration of the facial nerve is indicated at anytime, as it may be beneficial even in very old injuries. The prognostic value of electroneurography and electromyography in determining facial nerve recovery and in deciding upon facial nerve surgery is questioned.