Acupuncture as part of iatrogenic facial nerve palsy rehabilitation - first report

Abstract

Background: Facial paresis is one of the complications after treatment for vestibular schwannoma (VS). Acupuncture has been used for Bell palsy but not in iatrogenic facial paresis. The objective of this study is to measure the efficacy of using acupuncture for iatrogenic facial nerve palsy and patients' satisfaction.

Methods: This is a single-center retrospective study with patients from 2007–2019 received treatment for newly diagnosed or recurrent VS. Some patients who suffered facial paresis after surgery had self-initiated acupuncture. All patients who had facial paresis were included. Their facial nerve status before and immediately after surgery, postoperative 6 months and 12 months, were recorded. Those who received acupuncture also answered 6- and 12-month patient satisfaction surveys over the phone. Adverse effects were also assessed.

Results: There were 123 patients in this period. Of these, 29 patients had iatrogenic facial paresis and 23 of them received acupuncture. There was significant improvement of facial paresis for the acupuncture group compared with the nonacupuncture group at 6 and 12 months. More than 80% of patients who received acupuncture were satisfied. They had motor improvement and experienced less pain and tightness. No adverse effects were reported.

Conclusions: Acupuncture for postresection VS facial paresis seemed to speed up its recovery. Both patients' recovery and satisfaction were good after acupuncture, and it seemed to be a safe procedure in trained hands.