Management of iatrogenic facial nerve palsy and labyrinthine fistula in mastoid surgery.

A 6-year review of complications of mastoid surgery between June 1995 and June 2001 revealed five cases with serious iatrogenic complications from mastoid surgery, of which four were facial nerve palsy and two were labyrinthine fistula. One of these patients had concomitant facial nerve palsy and labyrinthine fistula. There were two cases of complete facial nerve palsy (House Brackmann grade VI) and two cases of incomplete palsy (House Brackmann grades IV and V).

Complications of otitis media requiring surgical intervention.

Background: Although the incidence of complications of otitis media that require surgical interventions has decreased substantially over the past few years, it is a prevailing condition for which clinicians should remain vigilant.

Methods: We conducted a 3-year review [June 1998 to June 2001] in our hospital of surgical records of patients with complications of otitis media that were treated surgically.

Results: There were 16 patients with complications of otitis media, of which nine [56%] were intracranial; brain abscess and lateral sinus thrombosis were the most common intracranial complications.