Abstract
Objective: To study the impact of radiotherapy on the success of primary facial nerve repair and cable nerve grafts. Study Design: Retrospective review. Methods: Pre- and postoperative facial nerve function were assessed using the House-Brackmann (HB) grading system. Results: Thirty-nine patients were identified who had undergone facial nerve repair: 5 patients (13%) underwent primary repair, and 34 patients (87%) underwent nerve grafting. Radiotherapy was administered postoperatively to 34 patients (87%). Preoperative HB scores were I = 18, II = 11, III = 3, IV = 3, V = 3, and VI = 1. Postoperative scores were HB I = 1, II = 4, III = 16, IV = 6, V = 3, and VI = 9. Only patients with single-branch deficits recovered to HB I or II function. Good facial function (HB I-III) was achieved in 17 of 34 patients (50%) who received postoperative radiotherapy compared to 4 of 5 patients (80%) who did not receive postoperative radiotherapy (P = .349). Among the patients who had either HB I or II function preoperatively, 59% achieved good postoperative function (HB I-III). Four out of 10 patients (40%) with significantly compromised preoperative facial function (HB III-VI) were able to achieve HB III function. Conclusions: Postoperative radiotherapy appears not to prevent achieving good facial function after a nerve repair, especially when normal or near-normal function is present preoperatively. Some patients with fair to little function preoperatively can achieve reasonable postoperative function with facial nerve reconstruction.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1985-1989 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Laryngoscope |
Volume | 120 |
Issue number | 10 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 2010 |
Keywords
- Facial nerve graft
- Facial nerve repair
- Microvascular free flap
- Parotid cancer
- Radiotherapy
- Temporal bone resection
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Otorhinolaryngology