Abstract
Objectives: In the preantibiotic era, FP was a relatively common complication occurring in 0.5% of AOM cases. Today, this complication is uncommon. This may cause uncertainty regarding the optimal treatment modality. The aim of the present study is to review the characteristics of the disease and propose the proper management.
Methods: Files of all children diagnosed with AOM and FP at a tertiary referral center, during the period 1994 to 2001, were retrospectively reviewed and the disease course, management, and outcome were recorded.
Results: Sixty-five patients were diagnosed with facial palsy, thirteen of them, composing 20%, had AOM. Their ages ranged between 5 and 60 months (average, 50 months). In all patients, AOM preceded the onset of FP with an average lag of 5 days (range, 1–21 days). The degree of palsy ranged from second to fifth grade House Brackman grading system (average, 3.5). None of them presented with complete paralysis. The recovery period was quite variable and unpredictable, ranging from 2 to 180 days (average, 68 days). None of the patients underwent surgical treatment beyond ventilation tube insertion. None of the following parameters examined had an influence on the outcome or resolution rate: demographics (age, gender), clinical presentation (ear severity, degree of facial palsy), or treatment (steroid administration and surgical treatment).
Conclusions: Although the number of patients was small, in view of our results, in which all patients eventually recovered, we feel that conservative treatment including myringotomy and treatment with intravenous antibiotic therapy is the right approach in the majority of cases.