Electrophysiologic monitoring of facial nerve during temporal bone surgery.

Monitoring of peripheral nerves during surgical procedures decreases trauma to the nerve, which may preserve function. During 1984, electrophysiologic monitoring of the facial nerve was used during 32 operative procedures in and around the temporal bone. The largest group were for cerebellopontine angle tumors. Clinically, monitoring appeared to be helpful by providing objective evidence of trauma to the facial nerve and a method of demonstrating integrity of the nerve. However, review of this series did not reveal objective evidence of improved facial nerve preservation compared to results in a similar group of patients operated on without monitoring. We think that the monitoring is best done by personnel experienced with the technique.