Question: A 67 year old male undergoes cochlear implantation for profound sensorineural hearing loss. Surgery is uncomplicated but the facial nerve was uncovered during posterior tympanotomy. The patient awoke with normal facial function. One week later the patient contacts the office noting that he is having difficulty closing his eye. Office examination reveals House-Brackmann grade 4 facial function. Steroids and anti-virals are initiated. What is the likelihood that his facial nerve function will recover to normal?

a) Over 90%

b) 75%

c) 50%

d) Less than 10%

[Answer will be posted with next week's new question]

Answer to last week's question, “Keeping It Interesting" (July 22, 2019)

D - Biscuit footplate.