Effect of early surgical repair on functional recovery of patients with traumatic facial paralysis / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Facial nerve injury causes facial nerve paralysis (or facial palsy) and even results in psychosocial disturbances of the patients. Repair the injured facial nerve and reconstruction of the nerve function as early as possible have been the primary concern in clinical studies.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the timing and surgical approaches for repairing facial paralysis in order to provides evidences for its therapeutic and prognostic evaluation.DESIGN: Case analysis based on patients.SETTING: Hospital of Plastic Surgery of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences.PARTICIPANTS: Nine patients with traumatic facial paralysis hospitalized in the Hospital of Plastic Surgery of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from December 1993 to November 2001.METHODS: Facial nerve anastomosis was performed microsurgically along with the implantation of the sural nerve graft into orbicular muscle of the eye 3 or 4 months after nerve injury in the 9 patients. The clinical data of the patients were retrospectively reviewed.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The facial nerve function was evaluated with House-Brackmann scale and photographs of the patients' faces before and after surgical treatment were taken.RESULTS: In the follow-up of these patients lasting 6 months to 2 years,all the patients attained satisfactory outcome.CONCLUSION: Early operation is crucial for the treatment of traumatic facial paralysis,with facial nerve anastomosis as the primary choice. The implantation of the nerve graft into muscle is also indicated for repairing traumatic facial paralysis in some cases. The importance of individualized treatment choice is reiterated on the basis of cicatrectomy and the extent and specific features of the injury.