Surgical timing for facial paralysis after temporal bone trauma

Objectives

To explore surgical timing of facial paralysis after temporal bone trauma.

The effects of lipoic acid and methylprednisolone on nerve healing in rats with facial paralysis*

Objective: To investigate the effects of lipoic acid and methylprednisolone on nerve healing in rats with traumatic facial paralysis.

Materials and methods: The rats were randomly divided into four groups, with six rats in the control group and eight each in the remaining three groups. The buccal branch of the facial nerve in all groups except the control group was traumatized by a vascular clamp for 40?minutes. Group 1 was given lipoic acid (LA), Group 2 was given methylprednisolone (MP), and Group 3 was given lipoic acid and methylprednisolone (LA?+?MP) for one week. Nerve stimulus thresholds were measured before trauma, after trauma and at the end of the one week treatment period.

Results: When the groups were compared with each other, post-treatment threshold levels of LA?+?MP were significantly lower than LA. Although post-treatment threshold levels of LA and MP were still higher than the control group, there was no significant difference between LA?+?MP and control values (p?>?.05).

Conclusion: Lipoic acid has a positive effect on nerve healing and can enhance the effect of methylprednisolone treatment. It is a good alternative in cases where methylprednisolone cannot be used.     

Facial fractures and concomitant injuries in trauma patients

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Maxillofacial fractures often occur with serious concomitant injury in trauma patients, and knowledge of the type and severity of associated injuries can assist in rapid assessment and treatment. The objective was to identify the most commonly occurring injuries associated with facial fractures in severely injured trauma patients. STUDY DESIGN: Review of medical records. METHODS: A retrospective review was made of 151 patients with facial fractures presenting to a level-one trauma center over a 4-year span. All patients had an injury severity score of 12 or greater. Chart data recorded included demographics, etiology, presentation, facial fracture site, concomitant injury, imaging studies, hospital stay and course, interventions, and outcome. RESULTS: The most common cause or origin of facial fracture was assault (41%), followed by motor vehicle accident (26.5%). Orbital fracture was the most common overall facial fracture (24.2%), with nasal fractures being the most common isolated fracture (23.2%). Cerebral hematoma occurred in 43.7% of patients, with subdural hematoma being the most frequent. Pulmonary injury was the second most commonly associated injury (31.1%) with lung contusion being the most frequent. Seventy-two patients (42%) required intubation, and 22 (14.8%) required tracheostomy during their hospital stay. The hospital complication rate was 50.3% and included primarily pulmonary complications, septicemia, renal failure, and severe anemia. Thirteen patients died during their hospital stay; 11 of them died of neurologic injuries, 1 of pulmonary failure, and 1 of overwhelming sepsis. CONCLUSIONS: Cerebral and pulmonary injuries are often associated with maxillofacial fractures in severely injured trauma patients. Knowledge of these associated injuries provides useful strategies for patient care and prevention of further complications. A multidisciplinary and coordinated approach is important for optimum stabilization and ongoing treatment of patients with facial fractures.     

Multidisciplinary surgical management of an unusual penetrating foreign body of the face

IntroductionFacial injuries by penetrating foreign body are unusual and require specific multidisciplinary surgical management.Case reportThis case report concerns a 20-year-old man who experienced a penetrating injury by a piece of wood to the face and describes the surgical approach to remove the wood and repair the injury. The foreign body had penetrated the infratemporal fossa, with an entry wound situated below the right eye and an exit wound in the neck, in contact with the left internal carotid artery. An adapted surgical strategy was necessary in view of the site of the foreign body. The internal carotid artery was controlled in order to follow the foreign body as far as its entry into the base of the skull. The proximity of the eye and carotid and jugular vessels and the deep penetration of the foreign body required the participation of interventional radiologists, head and neck and vascular surgeons and ophthalmologists.DiscussionThe site of the foreign body, precisely determined preoperatively, justified management by a multidisciplinary team to ensure rapid extraction, while limiting the risk of additional lesions. With a follow-up of 6 months, the patient did not present any sequelae of his facial injury.     

Mandibular fractures in a group of Brazilian subjects under 18 years of age: A epidemiological analysis

Objective

This study showed a retrospective analysis of the etiology, incidence and treatment of maxillofacial injuries in a pediatric and adolescent population of the State of Sao Paulo.

Methods

We analyzed 2986 medical records of victims of facial trauma under 18 years, treated between 1999 and 2008 by the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, Sao Paulo - Brazil. During this period, 757 patients under 18 were victims of maxillofacial trauma, of which, 112 patients had 139 lines of fracture in the mandible. The most affected age group were male adolescents.

Results

The bicycle accidents constituted the main etiology (34.82%). The conservative treatment was used in 51% of cases, and 49% received surgical treatment. Only 5 cases of postoperative complications were identified.

Conclusion

The incidence of trauma and mandible fractures in pediatric and adolescent patients was high in the area of study. Bicycle accidents and falls being the main etiological factors. The group of adolescents was most affected. The conservative and surgical treatment was used almost in the same proportion.     

The marks of gunshot wounds to the face

IntroductionThis article deals with the occurrence of health problems due to gunshot wounds to the face among military police officers, in the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro, who were submitted to surgery at the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Traumatology Clinic of Hospital Central da Polícia Militar.ObjectiveTo identify the profile of patients submitted to surgery as a result of gunshot wounds, the anatomical distribution of maxillofacial fractures, the identified sequelae and complications, the health specialties involved in the rehabilitation of these patients, and to discuss the social, emotional and work performance-related effects of work among these subjects.MethodsA retrospective epidemiological study was carried out based on secondary data from military police officers who were submitted to surgery at Hospital Central da Polícia Militar due to gunshot wounds from June 2003 to December 2017.ResultsDuring the study period, 778 surgeries were performed in the operating room by the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Traumatology service at Hospital Central da Polícia Militar, 186 of which were due to gunshot wounds (23.9%). All patients were males and the mean age 34.7 years. Bone segment loss was the most common sequela. Facial esthetic impairment and reports of insomnia were the most often identified late consequences of impact on health and social life. Regarding the occupational impacts of the sustained injury, the mean time away from work due to medical leave for the treatment of maxillofacial injuries was 11.7 months.ConclusionThe treatment of gunshot wounds patients with facial injuries requires multiple surgical interventions and their rehabilitation requires the involvement of different health specialties. Further studies are needed to qualitatively analyze the impact of this type of facial trauma on the patients' lives and their social consequences.     

手术治疗面神经瘫痪病人27例

目的；探讨影响面神经瘫痪手术治疗效果的因素。方法：对２７例手术后病例进行疗效分析。结果：年龄小，手术早，进路合理，损伤轻及位置低的病例疗效满意；２１例术后疗效达Ｈｏｕｓｅ Ⅰ￣Ⅱ级（２１／２７），余６例为≥Ⅲ级，结论：认为根据不同病因及损伤范围选择合适的径路，充分探量，避免遗漏，是提高疗效的关键。     

Facial reinnervation after facial paralysis: is it ever too late?

Summary Following Conley's work on facial nerve cross-over surgery in long-standing facial paralysis, we have reviewed five cases of paralysis of 2.5–7 years' duration. All had complete absence of electrical activity on preoperative EMG and ENG studies. In four of the five cases the facial nerve was not severely atrophic and a cross-over technique was feasible. Postoperatively, the results were electrically and clinically good to excellent. To foresee the results of facial nerve cross-over surgery, we have found that the degree of atrophy of the affected nerve at the time of reconstructive surgery is a more important factor than the time lapse since the beginning of the paralysis. Those results also seem better in younger patients. Our findings suggest that hypoglossal-facial cross-overs be considered even 3 years after a paralysis, mostly in younger patients, when the nerve is not severely atrophic. In some cases this technique can be complemented by muscular transfers or selected cosmetic surgery.Presented at the First European Congress of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology and Cervico-Facial Surgery, Paris, 26–29 September 1988     

手术治疗周围性面瘫51例

目的：探讨周围性面瘫的治疗方法及影响其疗效的因素。方法：回顾性分析51例面神经麻痹患者住院治疗的临床资料。结果：随访42例。36例行面神经减压术,22例恢复至H—BⅠ～Ⅱ级;4例行面神经吻合术,2例恢复至Ⅰ～Ⅱ级,2例面神经移植术,均恢复至〉Ⅲ级。病程3个月以内与3个月以上组手术的疗效差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论：及时精确地施行手术是治疗周围性面瘫的有效方法。     

面神经减压术治疗周围性面瘫的临床分析

目的：探讨面神经减压术治疗周围性面瘫的效果和时机。方法：周围性面瘫患者57例,分别在2个月以内和2个月以后行面神经减压术,采用组间χ^2。检验进行疗效对比。结果：2个月以内组治愈率显著高于2个月以上组（P〈0．05）。结论：面神经减压术是治疗周围性面瘫的有效手段,早期行面神经减压术可明显提高治愈率。     

Management of traumatic facial nerve paralysis with carotid artery cavernous sinus fistula

Massive skull base injuries require detailed preoperative neurological and neurovascular assessment prior to undertaking surgical repair of isolated cranial nerve deficits. We present the management of a patient with traumatic facial paralysis, cerebrospinal fluid leak, and carotid artery cavernous sinus fistula as the result of a gunshot wound to the skull base. The carotid artery cavernous sinus fistula was ultimately controlled with superselective embolization via the vertebral artery. The facial nerve injury was then safely treated with mobilization of the labyrinthine and vertical segments to allow a primary anastomosis.     

面神经鞘膜瘤切除同期面神经重建术后效果分析

目的 探讨面神经鞘膜瘤切除同期面神经重建手术的疗效.方法 回顾性分析自2004年1月至2015年12月确诊并行面神经鞘膜瘤切除同期行面神经重建术的42例面神经鞘膜瘤患者的临床资料,按面神经重建方法分为端端吻合术(A组,3例)、面神经移植术(B组,4例)、跨面神经移植术(C组,8例)、面神经-舌下/咬肌神经吻合术(D组,27例);分别于术后1周、3个月、半年、1年进行面神经功能H-B分级评估及Fisch评分,分析疗效.结果 跨面神经移植术组(C组)患者术后3个月的面神经功能(Fisch评分)优于术后1周,术后6个月的面神经功能优于术后3个月(均为P<0.01),术后6个月与术后1年差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);神经吻合术组(D组)患者术后1年的面神经功能(Fisch评分)优于术后6个月(P<0.05);A、B两组病例偏少,故未对该二组Fisch评分进行统计学比较.结论 本组对象中多数面神经鞘膜瘤患者肿物切除同期行面神经重建后可获得较好效果,面神经功能恢复至稳定状态所需时间较长,部分患者术后1年面神经功能仍在恢复中.     

Iatrogenic facial nerve exposure in cochlear implant surgery: incidence and clinical significance in the absence of intra-operative nerve monitoring

Objectives: Iatrogenic facial nerve injury is one of the most feared complications of cochlear implantation. Intraoperative facial nerve monitoring is used as an adjunctive modality in a variety of neurotologic surgeries including cochlear implantation. With the lack of nerve monitoring, there is a theoretically higher risk of iatrogenic fallopian canal dehiscence with facial nerve exposure, particularly the mastoid portion, during cochlear implant surgery. The purpose of this study is to determine the incidence of iatrogenic exposure of the facial nerve and its relation to the incidence of post-operative facial paralysis in the absence of facial nerve monitoring.

Methods: This was a retrospective study. Medical charts of 307 patients who underwent cochlear implantation without facial nerve monitoring, from 2012 to 2017 were reviewed to identify cases with a reported iatrogenic defect over the mastoid facial nerve. The incidence of post-operative facial palsy was determined and compared to the incidence with the use of intra-operative monitoring which has been reported in the literature.

Results: The incidence of iatrogenic dehiscence with facial nerve exposure was 46.58%. However, the incidence of post-operative facial palsy was only 2.1% which decreased to 0.72% in cases without injury of the facial neural sheath. This was not significantly different from the 0.73% rate reported in the literature with the use of intra-operative facial monitoring (P?=?0.99).

Conclusion: The incidence of iatrogenic facial nerve exposure during cochlear implantation may be relatively high. However, no additional risk of post-operative facial nerve paralysis was found, provided that the integrity of the neural sheath was preserved, even with the lack of intra-operative monitoring.