Endoscopic Facial Nerve Surgery

Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2016 Oct;49(5):1173-87. doi: 10.1016/j.otc.2016.05.006. Epub 2016 Jul 26.

Abstract

Tympanic facial nerve segment surgery has been traditionally performed using microscopic approaches, but currently, exclusive endoscopic approaches have been performed for traumatic, neoplastic, or inflammatory diseases, specially located at the geniculate ganglion, greater petrosal nerve, and second tract of the facial nerve, until the second genu. The tympanic segment of the facial nerve can be reached and visualized using an exclusive transcanal endoscopic approach, even in poorly accessible regions such as the second genu and geniculate ganglion, avoiding mastoidectomy, bony demolition, and meningeal or cerebral lobe tractions, with low complication rates using a minimally invasive surgical route.

Keywords: Endoscopic approaches; Facial nerve; Geniculate ganglion; Petrous bone fracture; Schwannomas.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Decompression, Surgical / methods
  • Ear Canal
  • Endoscopy / methods*
  • Facial Nerve / anatomy & histology
  • Facial Nerve / surgery*
  • Facial Paralysis / surgery
  • Humans
  • Postoperative Care