Occasionally, patients with severe and long standing facial nerve palsies require a more definitive operation. This provides adequate eyelid support, adequate corneal protection and for reanimation of the eyelids. These procedures are also done on an outpatient basis and take approximately 1-2 hours. With any of the above procedures patients can expect swelling and bruising. The patient may be instructed to clean the wounds 1-2 times daily with sterile saline or hydrogen peroxide solution.
Antibiotic ointment is placed on the wounds and in the eye several times daily.
Many patients are placed on oral antibiotics in the immediate postoperative period. The first postoperative evaluation will be on day 5-7. Most postoperative swelling resolves in the first two weeks. Complications Complications are rare with facial nerve palsy surgery for the eyelids. Should you experience significant bleeding, pain or change in your vision, you must contact your physician immediately.