Facial nerve paralysis: A three year retrospective study.

Of all the cranial nerves, the facial nerve is the one which is most commonly involved in disease. Facial paralysis leaves the patient severely disfigured. Timely diagnosis and treatment can lead to considerable recovery. 16 consecutive patients of facial paralysis of all age groups and due to different causes diagnosed and treated in a tertiary referral hospital have been studied retrospectively. The frequency of aetiological factors, the various factors governing the management of these cases and their actual outcomes after a minimum period of one year are discussed. The causes of facial nerve palsy included cholesteatomas, Bell's Palsy, iatrogenic, traumatic, neuroma and others. In general, early reporting, diagnosis and surgical intervention wherever indicated have resulted in better recovery. Surgical decompression of the facial nerve traditionally advocated have been questioned. Rare causes of facial nerve paralysis like postoperative BIPP pack allergy and bilateral congenital agenesis of facial nerve are also included.