ABSTRACT

We aimed to evaluate the vibration effect of drilling on facial nerve motor functions during mastoidectomy and to investigate the impact of this round of interest with its duration of use.

Twenty-three patients with a diagnosis of chronic otitis media were enrolled. Using electroneurography, all patients were determined to have pre- and postoperative bilateral facial nerve. The duration of drill during the operation was calculated, and the possible damage over the nerve and its association with the duration of drilling were investigated.

The study included 23 patients, with 10 (43.5%) male and 13 (56.5%) female patients, There was no statistically significant deteriorating effect on facial nerve motor functions (p>0.05).

It is currently considered that facial nerves might be damaged only by direct contact during mastoidectomy. However, the nerves could be damaged by the vibration and temperature effects of the drill. Therefore, unnecessary drilling in the mastoid cavity should be avoided, and blunt-ended drills should be used.

Keywords: Mastoidectomy, surgical drill, facial nerve