Abstract:ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical features, surgical indications and efficacy of bilateral facial nerve paralysis caused by temporal bone fracture.MethodsClinical data of 4 patients with bilateral facial paralysis caused by temporal bone fracture and surgically treated with facial nerve decompression in our hospital were analyzed retrospectively. Their clinical features were analyzed. Timing and the efficacy of surgical intervention were evaluated by comparing preoperative facial nerve function and hearing with the postoperative ones. Of the 4 cases, bilateral temporal bone fractures were caused by traffic accident in 3 and crushing injury of head in one. Intracranial trauma and posttraumatic loss of consciousness occurred in all patients. Bilateral facial nerve paralysis presented as they were awake. The preoperative average Sunnybrook score of their facial nerve function was (9.0±2.00). The preoperative highresolution computed tomography revealed longitudinal fractures of bilateral temporal bone in all of them with focal architecture distortion of the geniculate ganglion in 6 and fracture of long limb of incus in 2.ResultsOf the 4 cases (8 sides), facial nerve function got improved with conservative treatment in one side, and did not improve significantly in the remaining 7 sides. Facial nerve decompression was performed on the 7 sides with simultaneous artificial auditory reconstruction in 3. Postoperative followup of 1 year showed an average Sunnybrook score of (78.1±3.55) and hearing improvement of 11.87 dBHL,which were significantly different from the preoperative ones(both P<0.01).ConclusionsTraffic crash is the main cause of bilateral temporal bone fracture with bilateral lateral paralysis, which is characterized by craniofacial injuries and severe injury of facial nerve canal. Facial nerve decompression are effective for the management of facial paralysis failed to conservative treatment. The earlier operation, the better curative effect will be. The conduction hearing loss caused by temporal bone fracture should be treated with simultaneous ossicular chain reconstruction.