Delayed Facial Nerve Palsy after Middle Ear Surgery

Objective1) Report the incidence and outcome of delayed facial nerve palsy following middle ear surgery in our department, and 2) review the medical literature.MethodsThis is a retrospective chart review study of 833 patients who were operated for chronic otitis media with cholesteatoma (572 patients), otosclerosis (192 patients), and profound hearing loss who received a cochlear implant (68 patients) since 1993.ResultsDelayed facial nerve palsy was observed in 10 patients (1.2%). In all cases, immediate postoperative facial nerve function was normal and the palsy occurred 5 to 8 days postoperatively. Facial nerve function recovered in all patients within 6 months. Assessment and management issues are discussed.ConclusionsDelayed facial nerve palsy may rarely occur following middle ear surgery and has an excellent recovery rate.