Combined Subtemporal-Supralabyrinthine Approach to Geniculate Ganglion for Management of Facial Paralysis in Temporal Bone Fracture

Objective To investigate the clinical outcomes of facial never decompression via a combined subtemporal-su- pralabyrinthine approach to geniculate ganglion for management of facial paralysis in temporal bone fracture. Methods Eighteen patients with unilateral facial paresis due to temporal bone fracture were treated between March 2003 and March 2011. Facial function was House-Braekmann（HB） grade m in 6 patients, HB grade V in 9 patients and HB grade VI in 3 patients. The preoperative mean air conduction threshold was 52 dB HL for the 15 cases with longitudinal temporal bone fracture and showed severe sensorineural heating loss in the 3 cases with transverse temporal bone fracture. Fracture lines were detected in 15 cases on temporal bone axial CT scans and ossicular disruption was determined in 11 cases by virtual CT endoscopy. The geniculate ganglion or the tympanic mastoid segment of the facial nerve showed an irregular morphology on curved planar reformation images of the facial nerve canal. After an intact canal wall mastoi- do-epitympanectomy, the ossicular chain recess was opened by drilling through the was disrupted, the incus was removed to damage was evaluated. If the ossicular chain was intact, the supralabyrinthine cells between the tegmen tympani and ossicular chain. If the ossicular chain access the supralabyrinthine recess. The geniculate ganglion and the distal labyrinthine segment of the facial nerve were exposed. After completing facial nerve decompression, the dislocated incus was replaced, or a fractured incus was reshaped to bridge the space between the malleus and the stapes. Results Pronounced ganglion geniculatum swelling was found in 15 cases of longitudinal temporal bone fracture, with greater petrosus nerves damage in 3 cases and bleeding in 5 cases. Disrupted ossicular chains were seen in 11 cases, including dislocated incus resulting in crushing of the horizontal portion of the facial nerve in 3 cases and fracture of the incus long process in 1 case. In 3 cases of transverse fractures, dehiscence on the promontory, semicircular canal or oval window was found. All cases had primary healing with no complication. At follow-ups ranging from 0.5 to 3 years （average 1.2 years）, facial nerve function recovered to HB grade I in 11 cases, 11 in 5 cases and m in 2 cases. Overall hearing recovery was 33 dB. Conclusion The clinical outcomes concerning facial nerve function and hearing recovery are satisfactory via a combined subtemporal-supralabyrinthine approach to the geniculate ganglion for facial nerve decompression in temporal bone fracture patients with facial paralysis.

Clinical and experimental study on facial paralysis in temporal bone fracture

Objective:: To study the main prognostic factors and significance of facial nerve decompression for facial paralysis in temporal bone fracture. Methods: The main relative prognostic factors of 64 patients with facial paralysis were analyzed. An experimental model of facial paralysis was made. The expansion rates of facial nerve in the facial canal opening group and the facial canal non-opening group were measured and observed under electron microscope. Results: The main factors affecting the prognosis were facial nerve decompression and selection of surgery time. The expansion rate of facial nerve in the facial canal opening group was significantly higher than that of the facial canal non-opening group (t= 7.53 , P< 0.01 ). The injury degree of the nerve fiber in the facial canal non-opening group was severe. Conclusions: Early facial nerve decompression is beneficial to restoration of the facial nerve function.