An analysis of the Adour-Swanson and House-Brackmann grading systems for facial nerve recovery

Lack of uniformity in reporting facial nerve recovery in patients with facial nerve paralysis has been a major disadvantage in comparing treatment modalities. To remove subjectivity from the analysis, we devised a facial paralysis recovery profile as a system for measuring facial motion. This profile has been used since 1968 at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Oakland, California. The House facial paralysis grading system was introduced in 1983 for clinical use and was modified by Brackmann in 1985. This latter system has since been accepted by the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery in the United States as the standard used in reporting results. In a prospective study of 54 patients, we tested multiple parameters that affect accurate reporting. We tested reliability and accuracy of facial measurements by using 30 control subjects and 3 independent examiners. We used Pearson correlation coefficients to statistically analyze results. To compare our system with the House-Brackmann grading system, we measured facial motions of 24 patients randomly selected from our data bank. All had incomplete returns of facial function and facial defects associated with faulty regeneration of a partially denervated facial nerve. Our overall results show defects in the House-Brackmann system which should be addressed. We offer the Adour-Swanson grading system as a reliable, easy-to-use, suitable alternative to the House-Brackmann system.