[Surgical treatment of facial nerve paralysis in fractures of the temporal bone].

Of 36 patients with facial nerve palsy caused by the fracture of the temporal bone, 28 were treated surgically and 8 conservatively. The way of treatment was determined after the detailed radiologic, neurootologic, vestibular and functional hearing examinations as well as of the damaged facial nerve. Numerous neurootologic disorders have the decisive clinical value in evaluation of the site and degree of destruction and selection of adequate way of treatment. The authors have shown that early surgical intervention and combined transmastoid and translabyrinthine approach provide the most suitable conditions for surgical management of the facial nerve and all associated damages in the region of the middle and inner ear.