The timing of surgical treatment of traumatic facial paralysis: a systematic review

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Abstract
Conclusions: Surgical decompression performed within 2 weeks yields the best clinical prognosis for patients with TFP. This study also demonstrated that surgical exploration performed within 2 months results in acceptable outcomes. Objectives: The ideal timing for surgical intervention of traumatic facial paralysis (TFP) is still controversial. A systematic review was performed to appropriately determine the timing of surgical decompression. Methods: Related studies were identified by searching Pubmed, EMBASE, and Cochrane and reviewing the relevant reference lists until 1 March 2016. Surgical timing was classified into four sub-groups: 2 months. Results: Six studies including 119 patients (119 cases) fulfilled the study requirements. The number of patients who achieved perfect recovery of House-Brackmanm (H-B) grade 1 was 40 of 119 patients (33.6%). Good results were demonstrated in 94.4% (17/18) of patients managed with surgical decompression within 2 weeks vs 63.4% (64/101) of patients undergoing surgical intervention at >2 weeks (p = 0.009).
Funding Information
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China (81170912,81300819)
  • the Major State Basic Research Development Program of China (973 Program) (2014CB943003)

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