Delayed-Onset Unilateral Facial Paralysis After Mastoidectomy: A Case Report

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: To discuss the case of a 36-year-old man who presented with left unilateral facial paralysis 11 days after mastoidectomy. Methods: Design: Case Report Setting: Tertiary Government Training Hospital Patient: One Results: A 36-year-old man with recurrent left ear discharge of 30 years duration underwent left canal wall-down mastoidectomy and was discharged well after 3 days. On follow up after 8 more days, he was noted to have House Brackmann IV left facial paralysis. Following 5 days methylprednisolone, neurologic evaluation and physical therapy rehabilitation, facial paralysis improved in the ensuing weeks until House-Brackmann I was achieved at week 12. Conclusion: Delayed-onset Facial Palsy (DFP) following tympanomastoid surgery may be approached conservatively, including steroids, acyclovir, and, if with a history of herpes or varicella infection, immunization can be given. Prognosis for DFP is good especially when the facial nerve is identified intraoperatively during otologic surgeries

Keywords

• facial nerve
• mastoidectomy
• otologic surgeries
• unilateral facial paralysis
• viral reactivation