Objective: To compare the interobserver variability of a new grading system to the currently recommended House-Brackmann Grading Scale.
Study design: Prospective case-control study.
Setting: Tertiary referral center.
Patients: All patients with a facial nerve paresis/paralysis (whatever the cause).
Intervention: All patients were evaluated for their facial nerve function by three observers, independently, using both the new system and the House-Brackmann Grading Scale.
Main outcome measure: The level of agreement between the three observers using both scales.
Results: With the movement, rest, secondary defects, and subjective scoring grading scale, a higher percentage of agreement between the observers was noticed than with the House-Brackmann Grading Scale.
Conclusion: The movement, rest, secondary defects, and subjective scoring grading system is more useful for grading facial nerve dysfunction in clinical practice than the House-Brackmann Grading Scale.