Weakness of buccal branch of facial nerve after canine fossa puncture

• Published in: Journal of laryngology and otology 2011-02, Vol.125 (2), p.214-216
• Main Authors: Byun, J Y, Lee, J Y, Baek, B J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Asymmetry; Biological and medical sciences; Case reports; Cheek - innervation; Ear, auditive nerve, cochleovestibular tract, facial nerve: diseases, semeiology; Endoscopy; Facial nerve; Facial Nerve Injuries - etiology; Facial Paralysis - etiology; Female; Humans; Injuries; Lip; Literature reviews; Maxilla; Maxillary Sinusitis - diagnostic imaging; Maxillary Sinusitis - surgery; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Nasal Polyps - surgery; Nervous system (semeiology, syndromes); Nervous system as a whole; Neurology; Non tumoral diseases; Otolaryngology; Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; Paralysis; Pathology; Punctures - adverse effects; Radiography; Sinus; Sinuses; Sinusitis; Surgery; Tomography
• ISSN: 0022-2151; 1748-5460
• DOI: 10.1017/S0022215110001945

We report a case of weakness of the buccal branch of the facial nerve after a canine fossa puncture procedure. A case report and literature review are presented. A 52-year-old woman diagnosed with right chronic maxillary sinusitis underwent canine fossa puncture during endoscopic sinus surgery. Immediately after the operation, she complained of motor weakness of the right upper lip and oral commissure, in the area innervated by the buccal branch of the facial nerve. Electroneurography revealed incomplete paralysis of the right buccal branch. However, facial weakness had recovered spontaneously by three months post-operatively, with no permanent disability. This is the first reported case of an injury to the buccal branch of the facial nerve following canine fossa puncture. Although the incidence of this complication is very low, surgeons should inform their patients of the possibility, and should take care when choosing the puncture site.