Transient Buccal Nerve Paresis

Abstract

Infiltration of a local anesthetic agent (e.g., lidocaine) in the vicinity of the facial nerve can transiently paralyze the temporal branch of the facial nerve and cause ipsilateral brow ptosis. This typically occurs during surgery to remove skin cancers on the temple. The buccal nerve typically is not prone to transient or permanent damage because it lies deep to the buccal fat pad. A case of transient buccal nerve paresis secondary to local anesthetic administration is presented.