Inability to close the eyes after parotid surgery may be a result of injury to the zygomatic branch of the facial nerve, and treatment options need to be selected based on the extent of the injury.
The facial nerve has 5 terminal branches in the parotid gland. Dissection and separation of the facial nerve is usually performed during parotid surgery, which is prone to loss, in which injury to the zygomatic branch can cause incomplete eye closure, and this injury may be transient or permanent.
If the incomplete eye closure is caused by touch during parotid surgery or postoperative inflammation, etc., and the facial nerve is intact, then the incomplete eye closure is usually temporary, and routine postoperative anti-inflammation can be combined with oral methylcobalamin and other medications affecting the nerves, and the condition will usually improve gradually.
If the nerve is partially or completely severed during parotid surgery, such as adhesion between the tumor and the facial nerve, the damage is usually permanent, and it is recommended to take oral methylcobalamin and intramuscular injection of vitamin B12 and other nutritive nerve treatment, and after stabilization of the condition, it is feasible to use facial nerve anastomosis or transplantation.
It is recommended to go to the stomatology department of the regular hospital, and the doctor will choose the appropriate treatment plan according to the condition. The use of drugs should follow the doctor’s instructions.