Tumor localization is the important factor for recovery time of postoperative facial nerve paralysis in benign parotid surgery.

OBJECTIVE

Facial nerve paralysis is the most problematic complication of surgery for parotid tumors. This study aimed to examine the progress of recovery from postoperative transient facial nerve paralysis (POFNP).

METHODS

Participants were 203 patients who developed POFNP after benign parotid surgery. A Kaplan-Meier showed the progress of recovery from paralysis. Factors involved in recovery were examined. For factors for which a significant difference was found, recovery from paralysis was examined over time.

RESULTS

Rates of recovery from paralysis were as follows: 28.6% of patients at 1 month, 58.3% at 3 months, 85.9% at 6 months, and 95.1% at 12 months after surgery. Deep lobe tumors were shown to be significantly associated with delayed recovery from paralysis. The relationship between tumor location and the time of recovery from was that deep lobe tumors had a significantly worse recovery from paralysis at 4 and 5 months after surgery.

CONCLUSION

Patients who develop POFNP must be informed about the progress of recovery and factors involved in recovery from paralysis. We believe that the results of the present study are a useful reference to that end.