Facial nerve grading systems (1985-2002): beyond the House-Brackmann scale.
OBJECTIVE To assess methods of evaluating the function of the facial nerve that have been introduced over the past 15 years, particularly in comparison with the House-Brackmann scale. DATA SOURCES A Medline search was undertaken of the English-language medical literature between 1983 and 2000 to identify proposed methods of evaluating facial nerve function. STUDY SELECTION Although all grading systems were considered, attention was focused on the systems that provided improvements in either precision or ease of use. CONCLUSIONS Because of the limitations and subjectivity of the House-Brackmann scale, several new scales of various degrees of objectivity and ease of use have been introduced. The Nottingham system offers a more objective but easy-to-use facial nerve grading system that has been demonstrated to be valid and that would be easy for the average practitioner to adopt. The authors propose a more systematic evaluation of this system to determine whether its widespread application is appropriate.
Kang
Thomas S
TS
Division of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University Medical Center, California, USA.
Vrabec
Jeffrey T
JT
Giddings
Neil
N
Terris
David J
DJ
D002528:Cerebellar Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002530:Cerebellopontine Angle / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005155:Facial Nerve Diseases / Q000145:classification* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D012720:Severity of Illness Index