Chorda tympani in the practice of an otosurgeon. Literature review

The chorda tympani is one of the most traumatic anatomical structures during surgical interventions on the middle ear. The problem of intraoperative damage to the chorda tympani remains underestimated by otosurgeons due to its insufficient coverage in the medical literature. A search and analysis of modern scientific publications from publicly available information resources was conducted, including review articles, original research, monographs, observations of clinical cases, and textbooks from domestic and foreign authors. The anatomical and topographic features that contribute to the injury of the chorda tympani as well as clinical manifestations and diagnostic criteria for its damage are described. A correlation between the method of surgical intervention on the middle ear and the nerve trauma is reported. A thorough study of the structural features of the chorda tympani before surgery, as well as improvement of its reconstruction methods, will improve the quality of surgical treatment and the quality of life of patients.