Oral motor dysfunction after carotid endarterectomy: Challenges in diagnosing marginal mandibular nerve injury and effectiveness of rehabilitation

Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is a frequently used surgical treatment for carotid artery stenosis. Cranial and peripheral nerve injuries are among the intraoperative complications. Diagnosing isolated injuries of the marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve after CEA is challenging and leads to oral motor dysfunction that affects the patient's quality of life. Early diagnosis and treatment are valuable, since delayed diagnosis requires a surgical restoration of the affected nerve or muscle. In this article, we present a case of marginal mandibular nerve injury after CEA to increase the awareness on this complication and highlight the importance of rehabilitation for these cases, even in the chronic phase.