title: Reconstruction of facial nerve after radical parotidectomy.
abstract: CONCLUSIONS
  Most patients benefitted from immediate facial nerve grafting after radical parotidectomy. Even weak movement is valuable and can be augmented with secondary static operations. Post-operative radiotherapy does not seem to affect the final outcome of facial function.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  During radical parotidectomy, the sacrifice of the facial nerve results in severe disfigurement of the face. Data on the principles and outcome of facial nerve reconstruction and reanimation after radical parotidectomy are limited and no consensus exists on the best practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study retrospectively reviewed all patients having undergone radical parotidectomy and immediate facial nerve reconstruction with a free, non-vascularized nerve graft at the Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland during the years 1990-2010. There were 31 patients (18 male; mean age = 54.7 years; range = 30-82) and 23 of them had a sufficient follow-up time.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Facial nerve function recovery was seen in 18 (78%) of the 23 patients with a minimum of 2-year follow-up and adequate reporting available. Only slight facial movement was observed in five (22%), moderate or good movement in nine (39%), and excellent movement in four (17%) patients. Twenty-two (74%) patients received post-operative radiotherapy and 16 (70%) of them had some recovery of facial nerve function. Nineteen (61%) patients needed secondary static reanimation of the face.
authors.affiliation: Division of Ear, Nose and Throat Diseases, Department of Clinical Sciences, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital , Stockholm , Sweden.
authors.forename: Suvi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Renkonen
authors.forename: Farid
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sayed
authors.forename: Harri
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Keski-Säntti
authors.forename: Tuija
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ylä-Kotola
authors.forename: Leif
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bäck
authors.forename: Sinikka
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Suominen
authors.forename: Mervi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kanerva
authors.forename: Antti A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Mäkitie
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000601:surgery*; D020220:Facial Nerve Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013517:Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010306:Parotid Gland / Q000601:surgery; D010307:Parotid Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies
keywords: Salivary gland; cancer; management; radiotherapy; surgery