+ − Reconstruction of the intratemporal facial nerve using interposition nerve graft: time course of recovery in facial movement and electrophysiological findings

Conclusions. Data about the recovery course of facial function after intratemporal facial nerve reconstruction using interposition nerve graft would provide useful information for clinicians to understand the regenerative process of the facial nerve after this type of surgery. It would also enable them to obtain informed consent from the patients by preoperatively explaining the predicted outcome of the postoperative facial paralysis. Objective. The purpose of this study was to describe the recovery course of facial movement and electrophysiological findings after intratemporal facial nerve reconstruction using interposition graft. Patients and methods. Five patients who underwent reconstruction of the facial nerve using interposition nerve graft immediately after facial nerve excision during surgery for temporal bone lesions were included in this study. Each patient was evaluated for facial movement (Yanagihara score), blink reflex (BR), and electroneurography (ENoG) preoperatively and postoperatively. R...