REHABILITATION OF LOWER CRANIAL NERVE DEFICITS

Lower cranial nerve deficits following skull base surgery can be accom panied by significant morbidity, especially if the vagus nerve has bee n sacrificed or injured. Loss of pharyngeal function and glottic closu re can result in dysphagia and aspiration. Left untreated, these can r esult in the major morbidity for the patient following skull base surg ery. The authors discuss the management of lower cranial nerve deficit s, with emphasis on rehabilitation of swallowing function and preventi on of aspiration following vagal injury.