Otolaryngologists and iatrogenic facial nerve injury: a meta-analysis

Abstract Background Iatrogenic facial nerve injury is one of the otolaryngologists’ major fears during surgeries. Despite technological advances, risk iatrogenic palsy remains high. The aim this study to meta-analyse papers published about different causes injury. This a meta-analysis carried out at ENT departments Cairo and MUST universities from April October 2022. It was structured according recommendations reporting system for (PRISMA). Results A total 168 manuscripts were revised, after comprehensive search, 44 studies met our inclusion criteria; 736 cases 15,846 (4.6%) included. patients who underwent otolaryngologic surgeries are 716 (97.3%), those other related procedures 20 (2.7%). Conclusion Multiple have been reported. commonest cause parotid (364 cases, 49.5%), least common arterial embolization (3 0.4%). more in females than males adults young. most injured part extra-temporal (199 27%), marginal mandibular branch (160 21.7%). Geographically, it distributed Germany (175 23.8%).