Facial Nerve Guide: Management of Common and Complex Cases

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: This multi-disciplinary group will cover the “what, when, why, and how” of what to do in everyday scenarios involving the entire course of the facial nerve. This improved “how-to” guide uses cased-base scenarios that cover topics such as: facial nerve management in parotid tumors to maximize functional and oncologic outcomes; Bells palsy: testing, when to consider referral for decompression; temporal bone trauma: how to evaluate the facial nerve, early interventions, and when to consider referral; up to date information on facial nerve rehabilitation and synkinesis management.

The panel will cover decision making to maximize patient outcomes and reduce your stress level while demystifying management for all practitioners: from initial steps and clinical/operative decision making to outcomes following state of the art techniques.

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 1: Develop an algorithm for facial nerve management during routine parotid surgery, including tumor involvement of an intact nerve. Counsel patients on short- and long-term outcomes from facial nerve injury or sacrifice.

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 2: Perform a comprehensive facial nerve exam in a patient suffering from skull base trauma and identify the timing and options for surgical intervention. Counsel patients on rehabilitation options and outcomes.

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 3: Describe initial steps and testing for Bell’s Palsy, when to refer for intervention, and how to counsel patients on options and outcomes. Identify synkinesis and describe interventions for synkinesis management.

BACKGROUND STATEMENT: Need for an up-to-date and complete approach in a promoted gap of scenarios involving facial nerve pathology for comprehensive practitioners and sub-specialists alike - spanning from routine clinic encounters to on-call situations.

Comprehensive Otolaryngology Track Statement : This panel will bridge the gap between subspecialty and comprehensive care. The goal is to increase the range of care tools for comprehensive providers rather than immediate referral and demystify when subspeciality referral may be considered for a range of pathologies of the facial nerve.