Abstract
The use of intraoperative facial nerve monitoring (IFNM) represents an attempt to aid the surgeon further in preserving facial nerve function. These measures are designed to enhance visual identification by monitoring electrically and mechanically evoked neural activation. The application of IFNM to neurotological surgery might reasonably be expected to help achieve the following clinical objectives: 1. Assistenace in distinguishing the fcial nerve from regional cranial nerves and from adjacent soft tissue and tumor through the use of selective neural stimulation. 2. Facilitating tumor excision by electrically mapping regions of the tumor not containing the facial nerve. 3. Early detection of surgical trauma to the facial nerve with immediately feedback made available to the surgeon through monitoring of mechanical activation. 4. Confirmation of nerve stimulability at the completion of the procedure in order to prognosticate facial nerve function recovery postoperatively. 5. Identification of the site and degree of neural degeneration in selected patients undergoing nerve exploration for suspected facial nerve neoplasm or decompression for acute facial palsy. The purpose of this article is to provide general guidelines with regard to methods of intraoperative monitoring of facial nerve function and to review illustrative case examples and results of recent investigations of this evolving diagnostic modality.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 127-139 |
Number of pages | 13 |
Journal | Seminars in Hearing |
Volume | 9 |
Issue number | 2 |
State | Published - 1988 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Otorhinolaryngology