Sectioning the sensory auricular branch of the facial nerve to treat recalcitrant otalgia.
OBJECTIVE
To present a new surgical approach to treat idiopathic neuralgia of the sensory auricular branch of the facial nerve.


METHODS
: Three patients with chronic ear pain resistant to medical therapy.


METHODS
Sectioning of the sensory auricular branch of the facial nerve along its course at the posterior wall of the external auditory canal by a retroauricular mastoidectomy approach.


METHODS
Resolution of otalgia.


RESULTS
All the patients were relieved of their pain at their first follow-up visit, and they have remained symptom-free. The patients were followed at least for 1 year.


CONCLUSIONS
The surgical treatment of idiopathic otalgia should be reserved for patients in whom medical treatment has failed. Finding the exact location of the ear pain is of utmost importance for a favorable outcome after surgery. If the origin of the otalgia is found to be the sensory auricular branch of the facial nerve, the section of this nerve offers favorable outcomes with no morbidity.
Department of Otolaryngology, Kocaeli University Faculty of Medicine, Kocaeli, Turkey.
Safter Arif
SA
Ulubil
Adrien A
AA
Eshraghi
Fred F
FF
Telischi
D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003061:Codeine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004433:Earache / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery*; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D013506:Otologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000082:Acetaminophen; D003061:Codeine