Factors influencing outcomes of simultaneous hypoglossal-facial and cervical-hypoglossal nerve anastomoses for facial palsy.

OBJECTIVE

The hypoglossal-facial and cervical-hypoglossal nerve anastomoses (HFCHA) technique addresses severe facial palsy after cerebellopontine angle (CPA) tumor resection. However, postoperative facial function recovery and tongue dysfunction vary significantly among patients. This study identifies prognostic factors influencing these outcomes.

METHODS

We retrospectively followed up on 43 patients with facial palsy who underwent HFCHA for CPA tumor resection (July 2019-December 2022). The patients were divided into two groups based on their recovery of facial function or tongue function: the good recovery group and the poor recovery group; or the tongue dysfunction group and the normal tongue function group. Potential prognostic factors were evaluated using univariate and multivariable analyses.

RESULTS

Patients with a duration of facial palsy less than 10.75 months may exhibit an increased likelihood of achieving improved facial function recovery following surgical intervention. Compared to individuals who engaged in longer postoperative tongue rehabilitation exercises, patients whose exercise duration was shorter than 4.5 months demonstrated a tendency towards experiencing tongue dysfunction after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

A shorter time interval between facial nerve injury and surgery helps with the recovery of facial palsy. Longer postoperative tongue rehabilitation exercises may also potentially alleviate tongue dysfunction.