Contemporary management of Bell palsy

Facial Plast Surg. 2015 Apr;31(2):93-102. doi: 10.1055/s-0035-1549040. Epub 2015 May 8.

Abstract

Bell palsy (BP) is the most common diagnosis in acute and chronic facial palsy. Although most patients fully recover, more than one-quarter will have residual dysfunction. Of these, nearly half will demonstrate severe limitations in facial expression. Though significant attention has been paid to acute management and prognosis, a paucity of literature exists addressing management of the long-term sequelae of BP. This article describes contemporary use of physical therapy, injectables, and static and dynamic surgical procedures in facial reanimation of acute and chronic BP.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bell Palsy / complications
  • Bell Palsy / therapy*
  • Botulinum Toxins / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Muscle, Skeletal / transplantation
  • Physical Therapy Modalities
  • Plastic Surgery Procedures*
  • Smiling
  • Synkinesis / etiology
  • Synkinesis / therapy*
  • Tendons / transplantation
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Botulinum Toxins