Facial canal dehiscence in the initial operation for chronic otitis media without cholesteatoma.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the risk of the facial nerve injury during operations for chronic otitis media without cholesteatoma by analysis of the intraoperative findings of the facial canal dehiscence.


METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed operative findings of 152 patients who underwent tympanoplasty with mastoidectomy for chronic otitis media. We examined every segment of the facial canal from the geniculate ganglion to the mastoid segment. Facial canal dehiscence was confirmed by palpation with a Rosen pick after inspection with a surgical microscope.


RESULTS
The rate of facial canal dehiscence was 8.6% (13 of 152 cases), and the tympanic segment was the most commonly found region at 84.6% (11 of 13 cases). Of the 11 cases of tympanic segment dehiscence, 9 cases were involved the lateral aspect of the facial canal in the oval window area. There was one case each of facial canal dehiscence in the geniculate ganglion and the mastoid segment, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The rate of facial canal dehiscence of 8.6% is not a low incidence rate, so even though performing a routine chronic ear operation, surgeons may encounter facial canal dehiscence at any time and should be prepared for the emergence of such a situation.
Kim
Chang Woo
CW
Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, Hallym University, 445 Gil-Dong, Gangdong-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea. kcw5088@dreamwiz.com
Rho
Young-Soo
YS
Ahn
Hwoe-Young
HY
Oh
So Jung
SJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D018424:Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear / Q000601:surgery; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000002:abnormalities*; D020220:Facial Nerve Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008416:Mastoid / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery*; D008866:Microsurgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000601:surgery*; D010046:Oval Window, Ear / Q000002:abnormalities*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014433:Tympanoplasty; D055815:Young Adult