Management of traumatic facial nerve injuries after temporal bone fractures is both challenging and controversial. The dilemma is whether to operate or not and if operating, when to operate and how much of the nerve to decompress. The aim of this study is to review our criteria for decision making in management of patients with temporal bone fracture induced facial nerve palsy, and analyze outcome of patients selected for surgical management. Review of 28 cases of temporal bone fracture between 2012 and 2016 was carried out. Patient assessment included clinical, audiological, computer tomography scans and electromyography (EMG) examinations. All 28 cases were initially started on conservative medical treatment. Based on criteria of complete clinical paralysis at onset, no improvement with conservative treatment and fibrillation potential in EMG, 10 cases underwent surgical decompression through the transmastoid approach. Among the 10 surgically-treated patients, lesions were predominantly found in geniculate ganglion area. Analysis of results after 12 months revealed 70% of cases who underwent surgery had House Brackmann (HB) Grade I–II recovery. Good recovery was achieved in all 18 medically treated patients (HB Grade I–II). Candidate selection based on accurate clinical judgment and judicious use of electrodiagnostic tests plays a vital role in outcomes in the treatment of post traumatic facial injury. Early surgical intervention gave better results in our study. © 2018, Association of Otolaryngologists of India.
