Modified Stennert's infusion protocol for posttraumatic delayed facial nerve palsy

Objective: The objective of the study is to validate the role of modified Stennert's infusion protocol in posttraumatic delayed facial nerve palsy. Materials and Methods: A retrospective chart review of 21 patients with delayed onset posttraumatic facial nerve palsy was carried out in a tertiary teaching hospital. All patients with delayed onset facial nerve palsy were treated with modified Stennert's protocol. It is a combination therapy which includes tapering doses of hydrocortisone, pentoxifylline, and low-molecular-weight dextran provided over 13 days. If the patient did not show signs of improvement with modified Stennert's protocol by the 10^th day of therapy, they were advised to undergo transmastoid decompression of facial nerve. Analysis was performed based on House-Brackmann (HB) grading performed at the time of diagnosis and after 30 days of follow-up. Improvement was considered to have taken place if HB grading improved by minimum of two or reached normal value of one. Results: Twenty-one patients were started on modified Stennert's protocol of which 15 improved and 6 did not improve. They underwent transmastoid decompression of facial nerve and improved significantly afterward. Conclusion: A trial of modified Stennert's infusion protocols is a safe option in patients with posttraumatic delayed facial nerve palsy.