title: Weakness of buccal branch of facial nerve after canine fossa puncture.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We report a case of weakness of the buccal branch of the facial nerve after a canine fossa puncture procedure.
  
  
  METHODS
  A case report and literature review are presented.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A 52-year-old woman diagnosed with right chronic maxillary sinusitis underwent canine fossa puncture during endoscopic sinus surgery. Immediately after the operation, she complained of motor weakness of the right upper lip and oral commissure, in the area innervated by the buccal branch of the facial nerve. Electroneurography revealed incomplete paralysis of the right buccal branch. However, facial weakness had recovered spontaneously by three months post-operatively, with no permanent disability.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first reported case of an injury to the buccal branch of the facial nerve following canine fossa puncture. Although the incidence of this complication is very low, surgeons should inform their patients of the possibility, and should take care when choosing the puncture site.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Bucheon Hospital, South Korea.
authors.forename: J Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Byun
authors.forename: J Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Baek
mesh_terms: D002610:Cheek / Q000294:innervation; D004724:Endoscopy; D020220:Facial Nerve Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015523:Maxillary Sinusitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009298:Nasal Polyps / Q000601:surgery; D011677:Punctures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011859:Radiography