title: The role of the middle fossa approach in the management of traumatic facial paralysis.
abstract: There are several controversial aspects to the management of traumatic facial paralysis. One of these involves the precise nature of surgical intervention once the decision to operate has been made. Between June 1, 1984, and June 30, 1993, we surgically treated 220 cases of traumatic facial paralysis with good cochlear reserve by decompressing the tympanic and mastoid segments via a transmastoid approach followed by decompression of the geniculate ganglion and the distal half of the labyrinthine segment via a middle fossa approach. We discuss the results of surgery via the middle fossa approach, and we review the literature.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, University Hospital Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Brazil. rbento@attglobal.net
authors.forename: Ricardo Ferreira
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Bento
authors.forename: Sulene
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pirana
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sweet
authors.forename: Arthur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Castillo
authors.forename: Rubens Vuono
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Brito Neto
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D035301:Cranial Fossa, Middle / Q000601:surgery*; D020220:Facial Nerve Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005830:Geniculate Ganglion / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies