Delayed facial palsy after vestibular schwannoma surgery.
OBJECTIVE
there is a lack of uniformity in the literature of the definition of delayed facial palsy (DFP) after vestibular schwannoma surgery. The aim of this study was to attempt to provide a clear definition of this clinical entity.


METHODS
a prospective study was undertaken of all patients, with an intact facial nerve postoperatively, undergoing vestibular schwannoma surgery during a 16-month period. Delayed facial palsy was defined as any worsening of facial function after the initial assessment of postoperative function.


RESULTS
a total of 67 patients, operated on between February 1994 and June 1995 satisfied the requirements of the study. Eight of the 67 patients developed a worsening of facial function after the first postoperative day. There were three males and five females with an age range of 29-73 years (mean, 53 years).


CONCLUSIONS
DFP should be defined as any deterioration of facial function after vestibular schwannoma surgery.
Department of Otology/Neurotology, St. Vincent's Hospital, NSW 2010, Sydney, Australia. john.fento2@virgin.net
J E
JE
Fenton
R Y
RY
Chin
M
M
Kalamarides
O
O
Sterkers
J M
JM
Sterkers
P A
PA
Fagan
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004428:Ear Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009442:Neurilemmoma / Q000601:surgery*; D013517:Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013997:Time Factors; D014722:Vestibule, Labyrinth / Q000601:surgery*