Treatment for facial nerve damage

As we all know, the nervous system is the supreme commander of our body. It controls our life activities. If the nerves that send commands to a certain part are damaged, that part will lose its function. For example, if the facial nerves are damaged, various facial movements cannot be completed, which may cause facial paralysis.

Treatment of facial nerve injury: Since the possibility of recovery after facial nerve injury is relatively high, early treatment should be based on non-surgical treatment, using dexamethasone and appropriate dehydration to reduce traumatic reaction and local edema, giving neurotrophic drugs and

Calcium blockers can improve nerve metabolism and vascular blood supply, and often promote the recovery of nerve function. Surgical treatment is only used for patients whose nerves have been severed or whose severe facial paralysis has not responded to 4 to 6 months of non-surgical treatment. Its purpose is not only to restore the motor function of the facial muscles, but also to correct the appearance and relieve the psychological pressure of patients.

There have been successful reports of intracranial reconstruction of facial nerve accidentally injured during surgery; however, there are no reports of reconstruction of traumatic facial paralysis. Early facial nerve canal decompression surgery not only has poor results, but may also aggravate nerve damage, so it should be performed with caution. In otorhinolaryngology, for injuries near the knee of the facial nerve, the facial nerve is often explored early through the middle ear or mastoid approach, and anastomosis is performed if severance is found. If it is compressive ischemia, decompression surgery is performed and the connective tissue sheath of the epineurium is opened. In neurosurgery, alternative repair surgery is often used for persistent complete facial paralysis, such as facial-cochlear nerve anastomosis or facial-phrenic nerve anastomosis.

In addition, the facial-hypoglossal nerve anastomosis is rarely used nowadays because it will cause atrophy of the tongue muscles on one side, affecting speech and chewing after using the hypoglossal nerve to repair the facial nerve.

1. Facial-accessory nerve anastomosis

This surgery involves end-to-end anastomosis of the central segment of the accessory nerve with the peripheral segment of the facial nerve. The surgical method is simple and has a high success rate. Most patients will have restored facial muscle movement 3 to 5 months after the operation. The disadvantage is that the sternocleidomastoid muscle and trapezius muscle innervated by the original accessory nerve will become paralyzed and atrophied, resulting in drooping shoulders. However, if the sternocleidomastoid branch of the accessory nerve is used and the trapezoidal branch is retained, scapulohumeral obstruction can be avoided; or the descending branch of the hypoglossal nerve is anastomosed with the surrounding segment of the accessory nerve to reduce the disadvantages of scapulohumeral obstruction.

Patients with facial nerve damage are generally psychologically inferior, so it is recommended that patients build confidence, face the disease positively, accept the doctor's treatment suggestions, and strive for a speedy recovery. The face is the main criterion for people's first impression, so everyone should pay attention to protecting their face. In addition to nerve atrophy caused by the disease, most nerve damage is related to external pressure.