Delayed facial palsy after tympanomastoid surgery: A report of 15 cases.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze potential etiology and outcomes of delayed facial palsy (DFP) after tympanomastoid surgery.

METHODS

Fifteen cases of DFP out of 1582 cases after tympanomastoid surgery were reviewed, and the potential causes and outcomes were analyzed.

RESULTS

9 out of 15 patients (60%) had fallopian canal dehiscence and facial nerve exposure in contrast to 323 of 1567 patients (20.6%) without DFP, with significant difference (P<0.01). Chorda tympani was cut or overstretched in 4 cases. There were two cases with herpes labialis and IgM antibody against varicella-zoster virus. All patients fully recovered within two months.

CONCLUSION

Fallopian canal dehiscence and facial nerve exposure was a risk factor of DFP after tympanomastoid surgery, and chorda tympani injury and viral reactivation may be triggering factors of DFP. The outcomes DFP after tympanomastoid surgery were excellent.