Abstract Otology 2000 B04-1

Indications for surgery in Bell's palsy and facial nerve trauma

Ugo Fisch MD (1), Bruce J. Gantz MD (2), Thomas Linder MD (1), Gerald M. O'Donoghue M.Ch FRCS (3), Naoaki Yanagihara MD (4)

(1) ORL-Klinik Universitätsspital CH-Zürich
(2) Dept.Otolaryngology,Head and Neck Univ. of Iowa Hospitals USA-Iowa City, Iowa
(3) ENT Department University Hospital Queen's Medical Centre GB-Nottingham
(4) Dep. of Otolaryngology Takanoko Hospital 525-1 Takanoko-cho J-Ehime-ken

Surgical versus non-surgical treatment of Bells' palsy continues to be an extremely controversial subject. In addition, the effectiveness of any medical management is debatable as long as the exact pathogenesis remains unclear. How to manage a patient with idiopathic facial paralysis will be discussed among the panelists. Facial nerve injury due to closed head trauma also represents a therapeutic challenge. The timing of the surgery, the surgical approach and the handling of the injured facial nerve will be analyzed in this round table discussion.