Delayed Facial Nerve Palsy after Vestibular Schwannoma Surgery in the COVID-19 Pandemic

Facial nerve palsy is the most common complication after vestibular schwannoma surgery. Its etiology is unknown and, in a small group of patients, it can manifest as delayed palsy. OBJECTIVE: To focus on delayed palsy itself and its possible association with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.

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Audiologists counselling patients pre- and post-vestibular schwannoma surgery should be aware that delayed facial nerve palsy is a documented complication; this study may sharpen expectations for post-COVID-era surgical cohorts, but no change to audiological management protocol is indicated based on this study alone.

Understanding the incidence and timing of delayed facial nerve palsy after vestibular schwannoma surgery is important for multidisciplinary teams managing these patients, including audiologists involved in pre- and post-operative hearing assessment.

1. 01Study examines delayed facial nerve palsy (weakness appearing days after surgery) following vestibular schwannoma removal.
2. 02Cases were drawn from the COVID-19 pandemic period, raising questions about viral or immune contributions.
3. 03Published in the International Archives of Otorhinolaryngology.
4. 04Vestibular schwannomas (acoustic neuromas) are benign tumours on the hearing/balance nerve — a core audiology diagnosis.
5. 05Delayed palsy is a known but poorly characterised post-surgical complication.

PMID

42077931

DOI

10.1055/s-0046-1819641.

Journal

International Archives of Otorhinolaryngology

Publication type

research_article

Evidence level

4

Population

Patients who underwent vestibular schwannoma surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic

Intervention

Vestibular schwannoma surgical resection