Facial Nerve Trauma

Facial Nerve Trauma: Panel Discussion
Moderator: Sasan Dabiri
Members: Nasrin Yazdani, Masoumeh Saeedi, Elham Saedi, Mohammad-Ali
Kazemi, Mohammad-Mehdi Salem

Facial nerve dysfunction is one of the most troublesome symptoms for anyone because of its impact on the functional and social life. This event could happen in various situations including head or temporal bone trauma, intraoperative otologic and neurotologic procedures, and blunt or penetrating parotid trauma and surgeries. Decision making for approaching to facial palsy is always challenging. Imaging could be helpful in some situations. Electrophysiologic evaluation of
the facial nerve function such as electroneuronography and electromyography could give some critical and fundamental clues for planning the appropriate decision. Moreover, there are significant improvements in primary and secondary management of facial dysfunction. Many reanimation procedures including various dynamic procedures like nerve or muscle surgeries and static ones are helpful. However, the results of the reversal of the nerve function itself are time-consuming. This adverse point hurts the decision process; because the results could not be seen early. So, there are some controversies in approach to any patient with traumatic facial palsy. The facial nerve trauma panel discussion in the 2nd PONS Congress with attending of the interdisciplinary scientific experts gives some practical points to simplify this decision-making process.