Purpose:
Facial nerve exploration during parotiectomy can be achieved using two basic approaches antegrade and retrograde. The aim of this meta-analysis was to test the null hypothesis that there is no difference in the incidence rate of facial nerve palsy between retrograde and antegrade facial nerve dissection after parotid surgery against the alternative hypothesis of a difference.
Methods:
From inception to August 2016, an electronic search of major databases (PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane CENTRAL) for all clinical human studies, either randomized controlled trial or not, comparing antegrade vs retrograde facial nerve dissection during parotid surgery. The outcome Postoperative facial nerve weakness either transient or permanent was analyzed.
Facial nerve exploration during parotiectomy can be achieved using two basic approaches antegrade and retrograde. The aim of this meta-analysis was to test the null hypothesis that there is no difference in the incidence rate of facial nerve palsy between retrograde and antegrade facial nerve dissection after parotid surgery against the alternative hypothesis of a difference.
Methods:
From inception to August 2016, an electronic search of major databases (PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane CENTRAL) for all clinical human studies, either randomized controlled trial or not, comparing antegrade vs retrograde facial nerve dissection during parotid surgery. The outcome Postoperative facial nerve weakness either transient or permanent was analyzed.