Evaluation of Facial Nerve Function Following Preauricular and Submandibular Approaches by using the House-Brackmann Facial Nerve Grading System
Author(s): Yousif Jabbar Jiheel* and Najwa Jamil Al-Chalabi
Abstract
Background: The functional and cosmetic integrity of the facial nerve is critical that should be preserved by the surgeons. Clinically, facial nerve function is evaluated by using the House-Brackmann grading scale, which also allows physician to improve the patient’s facial nerve recovery during follow up periods. Aims of study: The purpose of this study was to assess the facial nerve function following preauricular and submandibular surgical approaches by using the House–Brackmann facial nerve grading system as a means of classifying and measuring the degree and type of injury. Patients and methods:- a prospective study included fifty patients (18 male, 32 female) patients’ age ranged from 18 to 75 years with a mean of 45.16 years were underwent for preauricular approach for parotidectomy and submandibular approach for reduction and fixation of the fracture mandible & excision the submandibular tumor, Facial nerve function was evaluated of all patients preoperatively, postoperatively at 24 h, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months by using House-Brackmann Facial Nerve Grading Scale. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 25. Results: From fifty patients, marginal mandibular branch of facial nerve was seen in 34 patients seen a slightly weakness and the House- Brackmann grade II, complete recovery of a marginal mandibular branch of facial nerve after one-month post-operative and the House –Brackmann grade I. Conclusions: The marginal mandibular branch of facial nerve injury weakness may be occurred in preauricular and submandibular surgical approaches and the transient weakness of marginal mandibular &temporal branches of facial nerve can be evaluate by using the House- Brackmann scale.