Facial Dysfunction Research Articles

TIPS AND TRICKS IN SURGICAL TREATMENT OF LARGE VESTIBULAR SCHWANNOMAS

Vestibular schwannomas (VS) frequently referred to as acoustic neuromas are the most common tumours of the cerebellopontine angle. They are benign, generally slow-growing tumors that arise from the vestibular portion of the eighth cranial nerve. For patients with large vestibular schwannomas or those exhibiting symptoms from the tumor’s mass effect, surgical intervention remains the preferred treatment approach. This paper discusses the surgical management of patients with large vestibular schwannomas operated in our department and emphasizes the use of intraoperative monitoring for preserving facial nerve function. We review the key surgical steps and highlight the importance of preoperative planning, patient position, and the use of microsurgical techniques to optimize the surgical outcome. Gross total resection of large vestibular schwannomas is associated with worse facial nerve outcomes. Our preferred treatment strategy, especially for older patients, is planned subtotal resection followed by periodic imaging evaluation and radiotherapy in cases of documented tumor growth. This approach may lead to superior facial nerve preservation and improved quality of life for individuals with large vestibular schwannomas. Conclusion The optimal treatment approach for vestibular schwannoma remains a subject of debate. Gross total resection has traditionally been the gold standard for large tumors, but this is often accompanied by a higher risk of postoperative facial nerve dysfunction. Planned subtotal resection with the goal of preserving facial nerve function, followed by closed observation is an alternative approach.

The importance of simultaneous oculoplastic surgery in quality of life related to vision in surgical resection of large vestibular schwannomas.

Facial nerve palsy is one of the most important complications of vestibular schwannoma resection. When VII cranial nerve is damaged, ocular complications might appear, impacting patient´s quality of life. Therefore, standardized eye care must be a priority. This involves three key treatments: topical treatment, rehabilitation and oculoplastic surgery. The aim of this work is to review the results of oculoplastic surgery performed simultaneously with vestibular schwannoma resection in terms of vision-related quality of life, compared to deferred surgery. The study involved 177 patients who underwent vestibular schwannoma resection between 2015 and 2022. The incidence of facial palsy was registered. Of those patients who had the palsy, we selected 35 who also had oculoplastic surgery. 5 of them declined participating in the study. The final sample (n = 30) was divided in two groups depending on the timing of oculoplastic surgery: simultaneously- first group (n = 15) and deferred-second group (n = 15). The vision-related quality of life was measured using the NEI VFQ-25 test. 26.56% patients developed an immediate postoperative facial dysfunction, decreasing to 18.08% after one year of follow-up. Timing of oculoplastic surgery was associated with better results in quality of life; the first group of patients had a better quality of life (70.27/100) compared to the second group (53.73/100; p = 0.006). Moreover, worse results in quality of life were also associated with long-term postoperative facial palsy (p = 0.042). Current criteria for selecting patients were reliable, proving adequacy as we found worse long-term facial functions in patients who underwent simultaneous surgery (p = 0.01). Our current criteria for selecting candidates for simultaneous oculoplastic surgery are effective. When long-term facial nerve dysfunction is expected during vestibular schwannoma resection, oculoplastic surgery should be performed simultaneously to preserve the q vision-related quality of life. Long-term severe facial palsy is associated with poor vision-related quality of life.

Stereotactic Radiosurgery in Primary Treatment of Sporadic Small to Medium (

To analyze the current literature regarding use of SRS as primary treatment of VS to further evaluate efficacy and treatment-related neurologic deficits. Online databases were queried to identify relevant publications from January 2001-December 2020. Full text, English articles for sporadic VS treated primarily with radiosurgery and documented hearing preservation data were reviewed. Papers that had a minimum follow-up period of less than 36 months, did not utilize radiosurgery for primary treatment, or included patients with Neurofibromatosis II were excluded. A total of 33 studies involving 4286 patients with an average follow-up of 62.5 months were included in the final analysis. All 33 studies included eligible hearing data; overall preservation of serviceable hearing was found to be 58.27%. 27 studies with 3822 eligible patients were analyzed for tumor control rates; overall, tumor control was reported in 92.98% of cases. 27 studies were analyzed for post-treatment facial nerve dysfunction which was reported in 1.53% of cases. SRS is a safe and effective primary treatment modality for sporadic vestibular schwannoma as evidenced by the present analysis. Radiosurgery is effective with regard to tumor control and hearing preservation while offering a low rate of post-treatment facial nerve dysfunction.

Translabyrinthine versus Retrosigmoid Approach for Vestibular Schwannoma: A Systematic Review and An Updated Meta-Analysis.

Several approaches can be used in the surgical treatment of vestibular schwannoma (VS), and the best approach remains uncertain in the literature. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to compare the translabyrinthine approach (TLA) with the retrosigmoid approach (RSA) for VS in terms of postoperative complications. PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane. The primary outcome was cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak; secondary outcomes were facial nerve dysfunction (FND), length of stay (LOS), and meningitis. Statistical analysis was performed using RStudio 2024.04.1 + 748. Heterogeneity was assessed with I² statistics. We performed sensitivity analysis with subgroup analysis and meta-regression. Risk of bias was assessed using ROBINS-I. Out of 1140 potential articles, 21 met the inclusion criteria. Among the 4572 patients, 2687 and 1885 patients in the TLA and RSA groups, respectively. No significant differences were found in CSF leak (odds ratio [OR] 1.03; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.81,1.32; P = .794) or meningitis (OR 1.05; 95% CI 0.45, 2.43; P = .73). Meta-regression showed no association with CSF leak and the number of cases per center or publication year. The TLA is associated with a shorter LOS (MD -1.20; 95% CI -1.39, -1.01; P < .01) and a higher chance of having and HB 4 or lower compared to patients who underwent RSA (OR 0.30; 95% CI 0.10, 0.89; P = .03). There was no difference in the odds of CSF leak or meningitis between the groups. In addition, the TLA has a shorter LOS and a higher chance of a better facial nerve outcome compared to the RSA.

Development and application of explainable artificial intelligence using machine learning classification for long-term facial nerve function after vestibular schwannoma surgery.

Vestibular schwannomas (VSs) represent the most common cerebellopontine angle tumors, posing a challenge in preserving facial nerve (FN) function during surgery. We employed the Extreme Gradient Boosting machine learning classifier to predict long-term FN outcomes (classified as House-Brackmann grades 1-2 for good outcomes and 3-6 for bad outcomes) after VS surgery. In a retrospective analysis of 256 patients, comprehensive pre-, intra-, and post-operative factors were examined. We applied the machine learning (ML) classifier Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) for the following binary classification: long-term good and bad FN outcome after VS surgery To enhance the interpretability of our model, we utilized an explainable artificial intelligence approach. Short-term FN function (tau = 0.6) correlated with long-term FN function. The model exhibited an average accuracy of 0.83, a ROC AUC score of 0.91, and Matthew's correlation coefficient score of 0.62. The most influential feature, identified through SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP), was short-term FN function. Conversely, large tumor volume and absence of preoperative auditory brainstem responses were associated with unfavorable outcomes. We introduce an effective ML model for classifying long-term FN outcomes following VS surgery. Short-term FN function was identified as the key predictor of long-term function. This model's excellent ability to differentiate bad and good outcomes makes it useful for evaluating patients and providing recommendations regarding FN dysfunction management.

Current approaches to facial nerve schwannoma surgery.

Facial nerve schwannomas (FNSs) are exceedingly rare benign tumors. This study aims to report on a series of excised FNSs, providing clinical information and details on their surgical management, including novel approaches. We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent surgical excision of FNSs in a private otology clinic and public tertiary referral center. The main outcome measures were facial nerve function, complete tumor removal, postoperative complications, tumor recurrence, and hearing. Seventeen patients (10 men and 7 women) with a mean age of 44.23 years (SD, 12.21) underwent surgery during the study period. The most common symptom was facial nerve dysfunction (58.8%). Facial and otoneurologic symptoms (hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo) were observed in 88.8% and 77.7% of patients, respectively. The middle cranial fossa (MCF) was the most common approach (six patients, 35.2%), followed by translabyrinthine (TL), transmastoid (TM), and combined TM-MCF (three patients, 17.6% each). Exclusive endoscopic transcanal suprageniculate (ETS) and mastoid combined with cervical approaches were applied once in two patients, 5.8% each. Total tumor removal was achieved in all cases. No significant postoperative complications were observed. The mean follow-up period was 193.2 months (SD, 119.5) and no tumor recurrence was observed. This study provides further evidence for the safety and efficacy of various surgical approaches for FNS, and incorporates the endoscopic transcanal approach. 4.

Acute Onset of Peripheral Facial Nerve Palsy in Children: An Overview.

Background The facial nerve (FN) plays a pivotal role in human life; apart from its sensory and parasympathetic functions, it innervates the facial muscles, and it is therefore involved in non-verbal communication, allowing us to express emotions and reactions. Especially in the case of childhood onset, FN dysfunction can severely affect the quality of life. Methods The aim of this review is to analyze the most recent literature, focusing on the acute onset of peripheral FN palsy among pediatric patients, discussing the different etiologies, prognoses, and management strategies. A total of 882 papers were initially identified, but only 7 met the selection criteria. Therefore, data on 974 children in total were pooled and analyzed. Results According to the findings of this review, FN palsy is idiopathic in most cases, while an infective etiology was identified as the second most common. The main pathogen agents identified were Borrelia Burgdorferi, especially in endemic areas, and Herpesviridae. Respiratory tract infections and/or ear infections were also described. Head trauma or direct injury of the FN accounted for 2% of all cases. Conclusions The overall FN recovery rate is high, even though the etiology remains unknown for most patients. Therapeutic indications are still lacking, especially in the case of non-recovering FN palsy. In our opinion, large, prospective studies are necessary for improving our knowledge of this disorder and establishing evidence-based approaches.

The Effectiveness of Facial Neuromuscular Retraining on Patients with Facial Nerve Dysfunction: A Mental Health and Quality of Life Analysis.

Background: Facial muscle dysfunction can have drastic psychosocial effects. Objectives: To evaluate the impacts of customized neuromuscular retraining on mental health, quality of life (QoL), facial muscle function, and synkinesis. Methods: Thirty patients with facial nerve dysfunction completed a course of neuromuscular retraining. Patients' mental health, QoL, facial muscle function, and synkinesis were evaluated using Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Facial Clinimetric Evaluation (FaCE) scale, electronic, clinician-graded facial function scale (eFACE), and Synkinesis Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) at the initial and final visits. Scores were compared before and after treatment. Results: Patients (n = 30) included had a mean age of 59.4 ± 13.4 years (range 32.3-82.8) and were mostly female (22/30, 73.3%). The most common etiology was Iatrogenic facial nerve paralysis (11/20, 36.7%). Most patients had postfacial paralysis synkinesis (15/30, 50%), while 10 had complete flaccid paralysis. The median house-Brackmann score was 2 (range 1-6). The mean duration of facial palsy was 39.5 ± 106.9 (range 1-576 months). The duration of follow-up after the initial treatment session was 5.5 months, including 10 sessions. After neuromuscular retraining median PHQ-9 scores improved from 5 (range 0-25) to 3 (range 0-20) (p = 0.002). Mean FaCE PROM scores increased from 47.7 ± 11.5 to 56.5 ± 8.8 (p = 0.001). The mean eFACE score increased from 55.8 ± 15.1 to 71.7 ± 13.6 (p < 0.001). Median SAQ score was lower at the final visit (34.6 ± 13.4) compared to the initial visit (47.7 ± 17.8; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Customized neuromuscular retraining may improve patient-reported mental health, QoL, and facial muscle function and reduce synkinesis in facial nerve dysfunction.

An evaluation of morphometry and dehiscence of facial canal: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.

The facial canal (FC) is an extensive bony canal that houses the facial nerve and occupies a central position in the petrous part of temporal bone. It is of utmost significance to otologists due to its dehiscence and relationship to the inner or middle ear components. The main objectives of current investigation are to detect variations in the reported values ​​of FC anatomy that may occur due to different methodology and to elucidate the influence of age and ethnic factors on the morphological features of FC. The methodology is adapted to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Pooled weighted estimation was performed to calculate the mean length, angle, and prevalence of dehiscence. The cross-sectional shape of FC varied from circular to ellipsoid index and is 1.45 [95% CI, 0.86-2.6]. The mean length of the FC is 34.42mm [95% CI, 27.62-40.13mm] and the mean width or diameter is 1.35mm [95% CI, 1.013-1.63mm]. The length of the FC in fetuses and children is 21.79mm [95% CI, 18.44-25.15mm], and 26.92mm [95% CI, 23.3-28.3mm], respectively. In meta-regression, age is observed as a predictor and accounts for 36% of the heterogeneity. The prevalence of FC dehiscence in healthy temporal bones is 29% [95% CI, 20-40%]. The different segments of the FC exhibit significant variability and an unusually high incidence of dehiscence, which could potentially have clinical implications for the etiopathogenesis of facial nerve dysfunction.

THE USE OF NERVE MONITORIZATION IN PAROTID, SUBMANDIBULAR GLAND AND FACIAL SURGERY AND ITS EFFECT ON PROGNOSIS

Objective: The facial nerve and its branches are at risk during facial surgery. The surgery with the highest risk is parotid and submandibular gland surgery. An attempt was made to determine threshold values in terms of paralysis in nerve monitoring parameters. These determined values could not be used to predict facial nerve function after surgery. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between the parameters detected by nerve stimulation during surgery and postoperative facial nerve dysfunction in patients who underwent parotid and submandibular gland surgery. Material and Methods: A total of 29 facial nerve branches of 13 patients who underwent superficial parotidectomy or submandibular gland resection were examined. Patients were examined in two groups: those who did not develop paralysis after surgery and those who developed paralysis or sequelae. The relationship between the patient's pre- and postoperative House-Brackmann staging and potential changes detected during surgery was investigated. Results: Paralysis was detected in 8 of 29 nerves that were stimulated, and the affected branches were the cervicofacial branch and the marginal mandibular branch. No difference was observed in the mean threshold stimulation values and responses determined before, during and at the end of dissection between patients who developed paralysis and those who did not. Conclusion: Unlike the literature, it is determined that no electrophysiological measurement result can predict the postoperative phase as a result of ROC-curve analysis and logistic regression analysis. It is thought that these results are caused by the fact that the developing paralysis is at low stages and heal within one month.

Translation and Reliability of Urdu Version of House-Brackmann Facial Grading System (HBFGS) in Patients with Bell's Palsy

Background: Bell's palsy is characterized by the sudden onset of facial paralysis due to facial nerve inflammation. Accurate assessment tools, such as the House-Brackmann Facial Grading System (HBFGS), are essential for evaluating the severity of facial nerve dysfunction. This study aimed to translate and validate the Urdu version of HBFGS for Urdu-speaking patients, enhancing its reliability and applicability. Objective: To translate the HBFGS into Urdu and evaluate its reliability and validity in assessing facial nerve function among Urdu-speaking patients with Bell's palsy. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 245 participants diagnosed with Bell's palsy. The UHBFGS was developed through forward-backward translation and cultural adaptation. Participants' facial motor function was assessed using the UHBFGS by trained physiotherapists. Reliability was evaluated using Cronbach’s alpha and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), while SPSS version 25 was used for data analysis. Results: The UHBFGS demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.951) and excellent test-retest reliability (Pearson’s r = 0.907). Inter-rater reliability was confirmed with an ICC of 0.888. Grade 3 severity was most common, affecting 43% of participants. Conclusion: The Urdu version of the HBFGS is a reliable and valid tool for assessing facial nerve function in Urdu-speaking patients, facilitating improved clinical evaluation and patient management.

The Clinical and Surgical Characteristics of Parotid Tumors with Parapharyngeal Space Involvement-A Multicenter Experience of the Polish Salivary Network.

Backgrounds/Objectives: Parotid gland tumors (PGTs) with parapharyngeal space (PPS) involvement have a specific clinical course and they can be a great challenge for surgeons, especially due to more difficult approaches and the risk of serious complications. The aim of this study is to present the characteristics of PGTs with PPS involvement. Methods: Retrospective, multicenter analysis of 1954 primary PGTs from 5 years (2017-2021) was performed. Comparative analysis was performed between groups with and without PPS involvement and included the following clinical and histopathological data: age, sex, place of residence, tumor size, FNAC result, percentage of malignant tumors, histological diagnosis, radicality of resection, and postoperative facial nerve (FN) dysfunction. Results: PPS involvement was found in 114 patients (5.83%). Secondary tumors affecting the deep lobe or the entire gland were predominant (46 and 60 cases, respectively). In a univariate analysis of tumors with and without PPS involvement, statistically significant differences were found in their size > 4 cm (12.97% vs. 37.72%), percentage of malignant tumors (7.12% vs. 17.55%), incidence of Warthin Tumors (WTs) (43.58% vs. 24.56%), percentage of R1 resection (5.53% vs. 12.50%), and rate of FN paresis (17.15% vs. 53.34%). Multivariate analysis showed that tumors with PPS involvement were statistically significantly characterized by larger size (tumors > 4 cm were 2.9 times more frequent), 2 times less frequent occurrence of WTs, and 1.6 times higher risk of FN paresis. Conclusion: PGTs with PPS involvement show certain clinical and histological differences and require more complex surgical accesses. Therefore, they cannot be treated as "ordinary" tumors occupying the deep lobe.

The German cochlear implant registry: one year experience and first results on demographic data

PurposeClinical registries have great potential for quality control of medical procedures regarding the indications, therapeutic processes and results, including their possible complications. This is particularly true when providing patients with severe hearing loss or deafness with a cochlear implant (CI). This treatment represents a lifelong care process that requires continuous quality control over time. On the initiative of the Executive Committee of the German Society of Otorhinolaryngology (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Heilkunde, Kopf- und Hals-Chirurgie e.V., DGHNO-KHC), a national German CI registry (Deutsches Cochlear Implant Register, DCIR) was established in January 2022. This article focuses on the first demographic and baseline data of the DCIR.MethodsThe DCIR covers the complete therapeutic process from indication, surgery, fitting and lifelong aftercare in CI therapy. By the end of 2022, 75 hospitals in Germany had agreed to contribute to the DCIR.ResultsDuring the year 2022, 63 hospitals actively contributed data to the DCIR. Pseudonymized data from 2,292 CI implantations (2,176 primary implantations, 99 explantations with immediate re-implantations and 17 re-implantations following an earlier explantation) in 2,108 patients were documented. Cochlear implantation was accomplished in 1,807 adults (≥ 18 years) and 301 children (< 18 years). Fourty patients (1,9%) were children < 1 year of age and 55 (2,6%) were patients > 85 years. From the total of 2,292 implantations, 226 (9.9%) were performed as simultaneous bilateral implantations (CI implantation in both ears of 113 patients on the same day of surgery) and 412 implantations (19.1% of 2,162 implantations with data provided on the contralateral ear’s hearing status) were in patients with single sided deafness (normal hearing in the contralateral ear). In addition, the reported complications in 2022 were also evaluated. Seven reports (0.4%) of mild to moderate severe facial nerve dysfunctions were documented. No reports of severe or total facial nerve dysfunction (House-Brackmann grade V/VI), meningitis or death related to CI therapy were documented.ConclusionAlthough still in the start-up phase, these initial DCIR data already provide an interesting first insight into the demographic structure and baseline data of CI therapy in Germany. The successful implementation of the DCIR represents an important step towards continuous quality control of CI care.

Delayed Facial Nerve Dysfunction Following CyberKnife® Radiosurgery for Vestibular Schwannoma.

The incidence and risk factors for facial nerve dysfunction (FND) following CyberKnife® therapy for vestibular schwannoma (VS) remain poorly understood. This study investigates whether differential radiation doses to vulnerable segments of the facial nerve may be associated with FND outcomes. Patients were identified who underwent CyberKnife® radiosurgery for VS at a single institution. Basic demographics, tumor characteristics, and facial nerve function were collected. Total radiation doses to tumor, internal auditory canal (IAC), and labyrinthine segment of facial nerve (LSFN) were evaluated. Six out of 64 patients experienced FND following CyberKnife® treatment for VS (9.38%, 6/64). Patients with FND were compared to those without FND (control). Of the 64 patients, complete radiation records were obtained for 30 patients (6 FND vs. 24 control). There were no significant differences in demographic or tumor characteristics between control and FND cohorts. More severe FND (HB ≥ 4) had significantly larger tumors (3.74 vs. 1.27 cm3, p = 0.037) with directionally decreased time to FND (3.50 vs. 33.5 months, p = 0.106) than patients with HB < 4, respectively. There were directionally, nonsignificant differences between maximum radiation doses to the LSFN (2492.4 vs. 2557.0 cGy, p = 0.121) and IAC (2877.3 vs. 2895.5 cGy, p = 0.824) between the control and FND cohorts, respectively. FND may represent an underrecognized sequelae of CyberKnife® radiosurgery for VS that can occur many months following treatment. Further studies are needed to elucidate the effect of differential radiation exposure to the facial nerve with FND following treatment. III (Retrospective Cohort Study) Laryngoscope, 2024.

Facial Nerve Preserving Subtotal Excision for Large Vestibular Schwannoma: An Institution-Based Functional Outcome Study.

The ideal goal of treatment for medium to large vestibular schwannoma is complete tumor removal with preservation of all cranial nerves. However, despite the advancements in microsurgery and intraoperative monitoring, the risk of facial nerve dysfunction following total resection varies between 31% and 57%. Currently, the goal of treatment for large tumors is shifting from total excision to facial nerve preservation. To evaluate the facial nerve outcome in patients who underwent subtotal excision with or without subsequent gamma knife radiosurgery for large vestibular schwannomas in our institute. All patients who underwent primary surgery for large vestibular schwannomas between January 2012 and December 2016 were analyzed retrospectively. Cases where total excision was not done and a residue was left behind to prevent facial nerve injury during surgery were included in the study. A total of 52 patients who met the inclusion criteria were analyzed. At final follow-up, 70% of patients had good facial nerve function (H-B grade 1 and 2). In patients with normal facial nerve function preoperatively, 81% (25/31) of them had good facial nerve outcomes (H-B grade 1 and 2), whereas in patients with preexisting facial nerve deficits, nearly 62% (13/21) of them either maintained or had improvement in their facial nerve grades. Good facial nerve outcomes and tumor control rate is obtained by subtotal excision of VS followed by upfront or delayed GKRS; however, there is a need for long-term follow-up to detect recurrences in these slow-growing tumors.

Frequency and Clinical Outcomes of Facial Nerve Palsy at District Level Teaching Hospital, Pakistan

Background: Facial nerve palsy, characterized by the dysfunction of the seventh cranial nerve, is a common neurological disorder that significantly impacts patients' quality of life. It manifests as unilateral facial weakness or paralysis, with Bell's palsy being the most prevalent cause. This condition requires thorough clinical evaluation and appropriate management to ensure optimal recovery outcomes. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the frequency and clinical outcomes of facial nerve palsy in patients presenting to a district-level teaching hospital in Lakki Marwat, Pakistan. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from May 2023 to October 2023 at the Physiotherapy Department of District Headquarter Hospital, Lakki Marwat. Patients with a confirmed diagnosis of facial nerve palsy by a neurophysician were included, while those with congenital facial nerve palsy or upper motor neuron lesions were excluded. Ethical approval was obtained, and written informed consent was collected from all participants. Clinical assessments were performed using the House-Brackmann scale to evaluate the severity of facial nerve dysfunction. Data were collected through a semi-structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics, including frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations, were used to present the data. Results: Out of 102 patients, 59 (57.9%) were male, and 43 (42.1%) were female, with a mean age of 38.2 ± 10.36 years. The majority of patients (41.1%) were in the 31-40 years age group. Right-side facial palsy was more prevalent, affecting 64 (62.7%) patients. The House-Brackmann grading revealed that 49 (48.2%) patients were in Grade IV, 24 (23.5%) in Grade V, 15 (14.7%) in Grade III, 8 (7.8%) in Grade VI, and 6 (5.8%) in Grade II. Bell’s palsy was the most common cause, accounting for 52 (51%) cases, followed by external trauma in 22 (21.6%) patients, infections in 18 (17.6%) patients, and tumors in 10 (9.8%) patients. Treatment outcomes showed complete recovery in 65 (63.7%) patients, incomplete recovery in 28 (27.5%), and no recovery in 9 (8.8%). Conclusion: Facial nerve palsy was more common in male patients, with the right side of the face being predominantly affected. Bell’s palsy was identified as the leading cause. The study highlights the importance of early diagnosis and intervention, particularly physiotherapy, in managing facial nerve palsy. Further research is recommended to explore long-term outcomes and optimize treatment strategies.

Minimal Access Retromandibular Approach to Fractures of Vertical Segment of the Mandible: A Versatile Technique

Abstract Introduction Fractures of the condylar region of the mandible, although fairly common, also generate the most debate regarding management—both closed and open treatment options have been recommended and shown to yield good results. We present our experience with a minimal access retromandibular approach to fractures of the vertical mandible. Materials and Methods This is a retrospective study of all patients who underwent open reduction and internal fixation for fractures of the vertical mandible (condyle, subcondylar region, ramus) using a retromandibular approach at a tertiary care hospital in a metropolitan city in India between January 2022 and July 2023. All fractures were approached using a standard technique through a retromandibular incision and a transparotid route. The proximal segment was mobilized, reduced, and fixed to the ramus with two 2-mm miniplates—one along the posterior border and the other along the sigmoid notch border. Postoperative guiding elastics were placed for 2 weeks without any rigid maxillomandibular fixation. Patients were followed at weekly intervals for 1 month followed by monthly visits for 6 months. At each visit, mouth opening, occlusion, and facial nerve function were assessed. Scar quality was assessed by both examiner and patient using the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) scoring system. Results A total of 25 subcondylar fractures in 20 patients were fixed using the retromandibular approach. Nineteen were male and 1 was female. The etiology of trauma was road accident (8), fall from train (2), fall from height (5) and assault (5). Fifteen patients had unilateral fractures while 5 had bilateral fractures. All patients had concomitant fractures of the mandibular arch which were also fixed. The interval between trauma and surgery ranged from 5 to 28 days. All patients had premature molar contact on the side of fracture with anterior open bite. Mouth opening ranged from 1.5 to 2.5 cm. All the fractures could be fixed using the retromandibular approach. None of the patients developed any facial nerve dysfunction or salivary leak. The occlusion was restored to pretrauma status in all patients and was stable at 6 months' follow-up. Mouth opening ranged from 3.5 to 4 cm. The POSAS observer score ranged from 09 to 19 with a mean score of 12.7. The POSAS patient score ranged from 17 to 28 with a mean score of 20.3 revealing that all patients were extremely happy with the scar. Conclusion The minimal access retromandibular approach to the vertical mandible is a versatile technique enabling accurate reduction and fixation of fractures of the vertical segment of the mandible with good long-term functional and cosmetic results.

Electromyographic Study of Facial Nerve Function Using Two Different Surgical Approaches in Low Condylar Fractures of the Mandible: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Facial nerve (FN) dysfunction is a potential complication during open reduction of mandibular condylar fractures. The purpose of this study was to measure and compare the postoperative FN function following transparotid (TP) and transmasseteric anterior parotid (TMAP) operative approaches in open reduction and internal fixation of condylar fractures using electromyogram. A randomized controlled clinical trial was designed. The study was conducted in a single tertiary-care hospital in the inpatient setting. Patients aged above 18years with unilateral condylar fracture of the jaw or bilateral condylar fractures undergoing surgery on only 1 side were included. Patients were excluded if they had fractures of the head, bilateral condylar fractures with surgery planned on both sides, a previous history of surgery in the retromandibular area, existing lacerations to approach condyle, preoperative signs of FN weakness, or a history of parotid surgery. The predictor variable was the operative approach and the subjects were allocated randomly to TMAP and TP. The primary outcome variable was postoperative FN function in the surgical approach employed using the House-Brackmann scale and electromyography (EMG) to record any subtle weakness in nerve function. The FN function is recorded at 3 time intervals postoperatively 1week (T1), 1month (T2), and 3months (T3). The secondary outcomes studied were operating time and any other complications recorded. Age, sex, fracture pattern with classification of condylar fractures into condylar neck or base fractures according to Loukata etal.4 Any associated fracture of mandible describing the anatomical location viz symphysis and parasymphysis (anterior mandible), body, contralateral condyle or greater than 1 associated fracture were recorded. Similarly, the presence or absence of any associated midface fracture was also recorded to suggest that the study participants were homogenous in all aspects. Analytical statistics included χ2 test, t-test, and repeated measures ANOVA followed by post hoc test to compare EMG data (mean power and mean amplitude) between 2 operative approaches (TP vs TMAP) for facial muscles including frontalis, oculi, and buccinator at different time intervals (T0, T1, T2, T3). Patients within each group were also analyzed to check for nerve recovery occurring during the follow-up period. The level of significance was set at P<.05. The study sample was composed of 22 patients with a mean age of 32.82±11.21years in TMAP and 27.82±8.54years in the TP group respectively (P=.26); male predominance of 81.8 and 90.9% in TMAP and TP group respectively (P=.53) was noted. The FN deficit as assessed by the House-Brackmann scale clinically, was at 54% (T1), 36.4% (T2), and 9.1% (T3) for the TP group and 27% (T1),9% (T2), and 0% (T3) for TMAP group; however, the results were statistically insignificant (P=.31). In surface EMG evaluation, the mean power for the frontalis muscle was significantly higher in the TMAP approach at the T3 time (105.03±9.7 vs 89.56±10; 95% confidence interval -24.28 to -6.65 with P value=.002). TP approach was faster with a mean exposure time of 9.9minutes. The results show that both approaches give comparable long-term results with the TMAP group showing better frontalis muscle activity.

Development of a Machine Learning Algorithm to Forecast the Likelihood of Postoperative Neurological Complications in Patients With Parotid Tumors.

Objective: The objective of this study was to create and verify a machine learning-driven predictive model to forecast the likelihood of facial nerve impairment in patients with parotid tumors following surgery. Methods: We retrospectively collected data from patients with parotid tumors between 2013 and 2023 to develop a prediction model for postoperative facial nerve dysfunction using 5 ML techniques: Logistic Regression (Logit), Random Forest (RF), XGBoost (XGB), Artificial Neural Network (ANN), and Support Vector Machine (SVM). Predictor variables were screened using binomial-LASSO regression. Results: The study had a total of 403 participants, out of which 56 individuals encountered facial nerve damage after the surgery. By employing binomial-LASSO regression, we have successfully identified 8 crucial predictive variables: tumor kind, tumor pain, surgeon's experience, tumor volume, basophil percentage, red blood cell count, partial thromboplastin time, and prothrombin time. The models utilizing ANN and Logit achieved higher area under the curve (AUC) values, namely 0.829, which was significantly better than the SVM model that had an AUC of 0.724. There were no noticeable disparities in the AUC values between the ANN and Logit models, as well as between these models and other techniques like RF and XGB. Conclusion: Using machine learning, our prediction model accurately predicts the likelihood that patients with parotid tumors may experience facial nerve damage following surgery. By using this model, doctors can assess patients' risks more accurately before to surgery, and it may also help optimize postoperative treatment techniques. It is anticipated that this tool would enhance patients' quality of life and therapeutic outcomes.

Ardita and its Ayurvedic Management - A True Story

Ardita is a disease with functional disturbances affecting the Uthamanga (head) and stands close with the symptoms of Bell's palsy. It is narrated as one among the Asheeti Vata Vikaras. It is a condition that develops due to Vata and Kapha Dusti. The present case study was conducted with an objective to find out the effective Ayurvedic management in Bell’s palsy. This report is on a case study of a 29 years old male patient who approached to Kayachikitsa OPD presenting with symptoms of deviation of mouth towards on left side, unable to chew from right side, difficulty in complete closure of right eye, since 1 day. After relevant examinations and screening it was diagnosed as Bell's palsy. This disease though self-resolving some cases remain partially recovered and some may be left with major facial dysfunction. So, the patient was admitted in Sri Kalabyraveshwara Swamy Ayurvedic Medical College and Hospital for 10 days and this condition was managed through Panchkarama &amp; palliative treatment. The patient was treated with Mukhabhyanga, Panasa Patra Sweda for 10 days and Nasya Karma for 8 consecutive days. There was no side effect observed during and after the treatment. The patient got complete relief in all symptoms without any residual weakness or deformity within two weeks which is much early than the self-resolving period of 6 months.