Facial nerve paralysis

[peggyQ727]

A month ago I had neck and lower face lift (board-certified plastic surgeon, 20 years experience) that resulted in nerve damage to the left side of my face. Mouth droops; nose & eye are lower on that side; lower eyelid slightly turned out; looks like I've had a stroke. Problems were immediately evident (POD2): in addition to the mouth droop there was much more swelling on the left; a 4" hematoma from the top of my ear to the jawbone.  Initial treatment consisted of doctor's manipulating the hematoma (ouch!).  He mentioned opening it & scraping it out, but that never happened.  Also a fluid-filled swelling on top of the hematoma, red and hot; Dr. made an opening in front of ear to drain.  Draining lasted less than a day; same treatment and result on return POD4 and several times after.  Dr told me to put hot compresses on the swelling; two days later recommended ice packs.  Later recommended massaging area vigorously several times/day.  After 3 1/2 wks, decided it was a parotid cyst and has me on something to dry it up.  Eerything I've read says that relieving pressure ASAP is important to allow the nerve to heal.  I'm afraid the delay means there will not be a full recovery of the nerve (even after many months).   Any hope?

[Howard Rosenberg, MD]

If, in fact, you have had some trauma or damage to the facial nerve as a result of the original surgery, then the hematoma, swelling and fluid accumulation after the surgery probably did not exacerbate the facial nerve situation.  Hopefully the nerve function defect is temporary and will regenerate over the next several months.