Acute otitis media and facial paralysis in children.

We reviewed 10 children who presented with facial paralysis after the onset of acute otitis media. The objective of the study was to examine the outcome of facial paralysis in children with acute otitis media treated without facial nerve decompression. Two groups were identified: 8 patients with incomplete paralysis and 2 with complete paralysis. Seven of the 8 patients with incomplete paralysis had rapid return of function after myringotomy and intravenous antibiotics. The eighth patient had delayed recovery requiring 9 months before complete return of function. The 2 patients with complete paralysis required mastoidectomy to control otorrhea and fever after initial myringotomy and antibiotics. Both patients had a prolonged recovery requiring 3 and 7 months for complete recovery. Patients with incomplete paralysis generally show rapid improvement following wide myringotomy and antibiotic treatment. A more protracted recovery may be expected in patients with complete paralysis; excellent return of function is expected when mastoidectomy without facial nerve decompression is employed.