Management of traumatic facial paralysis has several controversial aspects. One of these is the precise nature of surgical intervention to be used once the decision to operate has been made. STUDY DESIGN: chart review. AIMS AND METHODS: Between June 1984 and June 1993, 220 cases of traumatic facial paralysis with good cochlear reserve were treated at the University of São Paulo by the following surgical approach: decompression of the tympanic and mastoid segments by the transmastoid approach and decompression of the geniculate ganglion and the distal 50% of the labyrinthine segment by the middle fossa approach. We present a review of the literature and a discussion and results of our management.
facial palsy; trauma; middle fossa
