Facial Nerve Injury Following TMJ Surgery and its Management by Electrical Stimulation - A Case Study
Bhaskaran Sathya Priya1, K. R. Srinivasan2, Purushothaman Lakshmanan3 and Panneer Selvi2

1Department of Anatomy, Sree Balaji Dental College and Hospital, Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, Tamilnadu.

2Department of Anatomy, Vinayaka Missions Kirupananda Variar Medical College and Hospital, Vinayaka Missions University, Salem, Tamilnadu.

3Consultant Orthodontist, Apollo White Dental, Chennai, Tamilnadu.

Corresponding Author E-mail: dr.sathyapriyalakshmanan@yahoo.com

Abstract: The temporomandibular (TMJ) joints are multipart structures containing muscles, ligaments, bones and neurovascular bundle. Surgery for TMJ disorders represents a significant risk of facial nerve damage that can result in facial weakness affecting patients’ mental health, ability to communicate and self-image. This case report examined the effect of electrical stimulation in the treatment of facial palsy. A 15 year old male patient with a left sided facial palsy came with the history of TMJ surgery exactly at 7th day after surgery. The patient was functionally assessed by House Brackmann method, neurologically evaluated by strength duration (SD) curve and graded by Sunderland’s classification of peripheral nerve injury. The SD curve was plotted at 0 week and then  at 1st and 2nd week after subjecting the patient to electrical stimulation, facial massage and ‘Y’ shaped facial adhesive strap. The prognosis of the patient shows the shift of the SD curve to the left which indicates near normal complete re-innervations after treating with electrical stimulator for a month. It was concluded that electrical stimulation may improve the facial paralysis and decrease the psychosocial influence on the patient.

Keywords: Electrical stimulation Facial paralysis; Strength Duration curve; Temporomandibular disorders;

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