[Clinical analysis of facial nerve palsy in middle ear and mastoid surgery in 23 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the cause, the prevention and the therapy of facial nerve palsy(FNP) which induced by the operation of middle ear and mastoid surgery. METHOD: A series of 1032 cases undergone middle ear and mastoid surgery were reviewed between 1976 and 1991. RESULT: 23 cases FNP were identified. All were incomplete and peripheral. 13 cases of them were performed decompression of facial nerve. 6 cases were cure, 4 cases on the mend and 3 cases no effect after operation. 10 cases were treated by conservation, 5 cases were cure, 3 cases on the mend and 2 cases no effect. CONCLUSION: If the facial paralysis occurs during the operation, which means that facial nerve is damaged, except hard-stuff reason. Exploration should be done at once. If facial paralysis occurs later, conservative therapy should be selected at first. If facial paralysis is still not on the mend 1 month of postoperation, one should be done exploration of facial nerve.