Total facial nerve decompression in recurrent facial paralysis and the Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome: a preliminary report.

Recurrent facial paralysis is an infrequent problem for the otolaryngologist. This paralysis may be associated with the Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome, a triad of recurrent facial paralysis, relapsing facial edema, and associated fissured tongue. Most patients do not have the accompanying stigmata of this syndrome. This paralysis may occur unilaterally or bilaterally. The usual sequelae of recurrent facial paralysis are progressive synkinesis and increasing residual paresis with each episode, and total facial paralysis may be the final outcome. Two patients, one with unilateral Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome and the other with a bilateral recurrent idiopathic facial paralysis, were treated with combined transmastoid and middle cranial fossa total facial nerve exposure, decompression, and slitting of the fibrous nerve sheath. Postoperatively they have not suffered from facial paralysis during a follow-up period of three years. It appears that this surgical management safely and effectively prevents recurrent facial paralysis unilaterally or bilaterally, whether or not it is associated with the Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome. Until further experience with this particular management of recurrent facial paralysis is reported, however, caution should be used in recommending it. Additionally, it should not be assumed from this experience that surgical treatment for idiopathic facial paralysis in Bell's palsy is necessarily implied.