Practice and Advocacy
Facial Nerve Monitoring Policy
The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Inc. ("AAO-HNS"), acknowledges that fundamental training in the specialty of otolaryngology includes anatomy and neurophysiology of the facial nerve and musculature. The AAO-HNS recognizes the proven efficacy of neurophysiologic monitoring of the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII) which may minimize the risk of injury to the nerve during surgical procedures in which the nerve is vulnerable due to site of lesion or extent of disease. The AAO-HNS is also aware that neurophysiological monitoring of the facial nerve must be performed with competence and reliability in order to be effective and to pose no additional risk. Neurophysiologic monitoring of the facial nerve, when deemed reasonable and necessary by the surgeon, should be reimbursable through third party payers.
Adopted 9/17/94
Submitted for Review 4/13/95
Submitted for Review 3/1/98
Submitted for Review 6/12/98
Submitted for Approval 9/12/98
Updated 3/6/06
Guidelines are not a substitute for the experience and judgment of a physician and are developed to enhance the physicians' ability to practice evidence-based medicine.
Important Notice
The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Inc. and Foundation (AAO-HNS/F) Policy Statements are guidelines only. In no sense do they represent a standard of care. The applicability of an indicator for a procedure, and/or of the process or outcome criteria, must be determined by the responsible physician in light of all the circumstances presented by the individual patient. Adherence to these guidelines will not ensure successful treatment in every situation. The AAO-HNS emphasizes that these policies should not be deemed inclusive of all proper treatment decisions or methods of care, nor exclusive of other treatment decisions or methods of care reasonably directed to obtaining the same results.
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Calendar more...
- 80th Midwinter Conference Research Study Club of Los Angeles (02/10/12)
- AAO-HNSF Coding & Reimbursement Workshop (02/17/12)
- 18th Annual Advances in Diagnosis and Treatment of Sleep Apnea and Snoring (02/17/12)
- UC Irvine CME Courses: Ultrasound Course, Injectable Fillers & Neurotoxins Course, and Advanced Rhinology Course (02/23/12)
- Penn International Rhinology and Skull Base Course (03/08/12)
Business of Medicine Workshops
Workshops held in cities nationwide will help otolaryngologists, their staff, and other healthcare professionals code correctly, learn risk reduction strategies, and organize business systems.
