Facial nerve reconstruction following parotidectomy for malignancy: A systematic review of microsurgical techniques and functional outcomes.
Oscar F Fernandez-Diaz, Meir Retchkiman, Jose Manuel Garcia-Romero et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review evaluated microsurgical techniques for facial nerve reconstruction following parotidectomy in 312 patients across 18 studies. The review found that 44% of patients achieved House-Brackmann Grade I-III recovery. Masseteric nerve transfer resulted in earlier reinnervation compared to cable grafting, with a range of 4-6 months versus 6-13 months, respectively.
Key findings
- 44% of patients achieved House-Brackmann Grade I-III recovery across ten studies.
- Masseteric nerve transfer resulted in earlier reinnervation at 4-6 months compared to 6-13 months for cable grafting.
- Postoperative radiotherapy did not impair graft function in four comparative studies.
- The overall certainty of evidence was rated as Very Low (GRADE).
Why it matters
Understanding the effectiveness of various microsurgical techniques for facial nerve reconstruction is crucial for improving patient outcomes following parotidectomy. This review highlights the potential for meaningful functional recovery and informs decision-making in clinical practice.
What to keep in mind
The overall certainty of evidence was rated as Very Low, and the risk of bias was moderate across the included studies.