Delayed onset peripheral facial nerve palsy after dental extraction: a case report and literature review.

Peripheral facial nerve palsy (PFP) is a rare occurrence after dental extraction. Early onset PFP after the procedure can be caused by trauma and/or local anesthesia, whereas delayed onset PFP has more speculative etiologies. The latter has a certain affiliation to Bell's palsy and is therefore primarily treated with corticosteroids, and long-term follow-up is often warranted. This article reports a unique case of a 30-year-old woman developing a delayed onset right-sided PFP after local intraoral anesthetic injection for molar extraction. Facial nerve injury was identified with signs of denervation and neuritis and the patient was treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, corticosteroids, vitamin B supplements, and mime therapy. After 9 months, the patient showed an improvement of the facial muscle activity and went from a grade IV to a grade III on the House-Brackmann grading scale.

Effects of Surgical Timing of Facial Nerve Decompression for Patients With Severe Bell's Palsy.

Context: Bell's palsy is a form of idiopathic, facial nerve palsy. Initial treatment includes the use of oral corticosteroids and/or antiviral agents, but facial paralysis may persist. Some surgeons suggest that surgical decompression of the facial nerve can be a beneficial, but the optimal surgical approach, extent of nerve decompression, and timing of surgery remain unclear. Objective: This study intended to evaluate the efficacy of delayed, facial nerve decompression for severe Bell's palsy (BP) and to explore the relationship of opportunity timing for operations, with postoperative recovery for facial nerve function. Design: The research team performed a retrospective study. Setting: The study took place at Beijing Tiantan Hospital of Capital Medical University in Beijing, China. Participants: Participants were 45 patients who had been diagnosed with BP between 2015 and 2021 and who had undergone facial nerve decompression using the transmastoid approach, between 30 and 180 days after the onset of BP. According to the operation's timing, the research team divided the participants into three groups, consisting of participants who underwent surgery: (1) at 30-60-days after BP onset-19 participants, (2) at 61-90 days after BP onset-18 participants, and (3) at more than 90 days after BP onset-8 participants. Outcome Measures: The research team: (1) analyzed participants' demographic and preoperative and postoperative clinical characteristics, (2) compared the surgical outcomes with participants' House-Brackmann (HB) scales, and (3) analyzed the factors affecting the recovery of facial nerve function using logistic regression. Results: Decompression surgery was effective for 29 participants (64.4%), with similar rates for participants who underwent surgery after 30-60 days (73.7%) and 61-90 days (77.8%), but the surgery' success was significantly higher for those groups than for participants who underwent surgery after >90 days (12.5%), with P = .008 and P = .003, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that disease duration was the only factor significantly associated with the effectiveness of surgery (odds ratio = 120.337; 95% confidence interval 2.997-4832.267, P = .011). Conclusions: For patients with severe Bell's palsy with ineffective conservative treatment, surgery performed 30 to 90 days after the onset of paralysis can have therapeutic benefits, whereas surgery performed after 3 months is relatively ineffective.

Efficacy and safety of thread embedding acupuncture for facial expression muscles atrophy after peripheral facial paralysis: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Facial expression muscles atrophy is one kind of sequelae after peripheral facial paralysis. It causes critical problems in facial appearance of patient as well as social and psychological problems. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Thread-embedding acupuncture (TEA) for the management of facial expression muscles atrophy after peripheral facial paralysis. METHODS: This is a patient-assessor blinded, randomized, sham-controlled trial. A total of fifty-six eligible patients will be randomly divided into TEA (n=28) and sham TEA (STEA) (n=28) groups. Both groups will receive TEA or STEA treatment at the frontal muscle and the depressor anguli oris muscle, at one predefined points once a week for eight weeks. Additionally, both groups will receive traditional acupuncture treatment at ten acupoints (GB20, LI4, LR3, GB12, ST7, SI18, LI20, BL2, SJ23, ST4) twice a week for eight weeks as a concurrent treatment. B-mode ultrasonography will be used to assess the changes in facial expression muscle thickness ratio of the affected/healthy side at baseline and at 10 weeks after screening, as the primary outcome. House-Brackmann Grade and lip mobility score will be measured and analyzed at baseline and 4, 8, 10, and 12 weeks after screening, as secondary outcomes. DISCUSSION: The study will compare TEA with sham TEA to explore the feasibility for TEA in improving facial expression muscles atrophy after peripheral facial paralysis. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR1900027170. Registered on 3 November 2019, http://www.chictr.org.cn/edit.aspx?pid=45173&htm=4.

Acute Peripheral Facial Palsy: Recent Guidelines and a Systematic Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND: This study reviews recent literature on facial palsy guidelines and provides systematic reviews on related topics of interest. METHODS: An electronic database search was performed to identify recent guidelines dealing with facial nerve palsy, systematic reviews and recent meta-analysis published between 2011 and 2019 (inclusive). The literature search used the search terms "Bell's palsy," "Ramsay-Hunt syndrome," "Facial palsy," "Facial paralysis," "Facial paresis," "Guideline," "Meta-analysis," "Systematic review," and "Randomized controlled trial." Only studies written in English were used. RESULTS: The characteristics of treatment trends for facial palsy have been reviewed over the past decade. The most prominent change noted may be the shift from the conventional House-Brackmann facial nerve grading system to the Sunnybrook and eFACE systems. In addition, the results of serial meta-analyses indicate increasing agreement with the use of surgical decompression of the facial nerve. Beyond steroids or combined steroid-antiviral treatment, various novel drugs and treatments have been tried. For long-standing facial paralysis and postparetic synkinesis sequelae after facial palsy, facial reanimation has been highlighted and the necessity of new paradigms have been raised. CONCLUSION: For peripheral facial paralysis, various changes have been made, not only in the facial nerve grading systems, but also in medical treatments, from surgical procedures to rehabilitation, during the last decade.

French Society of ENT (SFORL) guidelines. Management of acute Bell's palsy.

AQFThe authors present the guidelines of the French Society of ENT and Head and Neck Surgery (SFORL) regarding the management of Bell's palsy in adults. After a literature review by a multidisciplinary workgroup, guidelines were drawn up based on retrieved articles and group-members' experience, then read over by an independent group to edit the final version. Guidelines were graded A, B, C or "expert opinion" according to decreasing level of evidence. Thorough ENT and neurological clinical examination is recommended in all patients presenting with peripheral facial palsy to confirm diagnosis of Bell's palsy. MRI with gadolinium enhancement should explore the entire course of the facial nerve, if possible within the first month. ENMG should be performed to assess prognosis for recovery. In confirmed Bell's palsy, corticosteroid therapy should be implemented as early as possible (ideally within 72h) at a dose of 1mg/kg/day for 7-10 days. Antiviral therapy should be associated to steroids in patients with severe and early-onset disease and in Ramsay-Hunt syndrome. Isolated antiviral therapy is not recommended. To date, there is no evidence that surgical facial nerve decompression provides benefit.

Photobiomodulation Therapy to Treat Facial Paralysis of 8 Years: Case Report.

Background: Paralysis of the facial muscles produces functional and aesthetic disturbance that has a negative impact for the patient's quality of life. Objective: To evaluate the effects of a photobiomodulation (PBM) with low-level laser (LLL) on the treatment of a patient with 8 years of facial paralysis. Methods: PBM with two different wavelengths of LLL (660 and 808 nm), applied only on the affected side, three times a week for 8 consecutive weeks. Evaluations were performed before starting treatments, after the 12th session of treatment and after the 24th session, using the House-Brackmann scale and electroneuromyography. Results: The House-Brackmann and electroneuromyography tests showed improvements in the movement of the facial muscles when tested in the middle and at the end of the treatment with LLL. Conclusions: PBM with LLL at the wavelength of 660 and 808 nm with the parameters used in this case report was an effective and noninvasive treatment for facial paralysis in this long-standing, chronic case of 8 years.

Facial nerve electrodiagnostics for patients with facial palsy: a clinical practice guideline.

PURPOSE: Facial nerve electrodiagnostics is a well-established and important tool for decision making in patients with facial nerve diseases. Nevertheless, many otorhinolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons do not routinely use facial nerve electrodiagnostics. This may be due to a current lack of agreement on methodology, interpretation, validity, and clinical application. Electrophysiological analyses of the facial nerve and the mimic muscles can assist in diagnosis, assess the lesion severity, and aid in decision making. With acute facial palsy, it is a valuable tool for predicting recovery. METHODS: This paper presents a guideline prepared by members of the International Head and Neck Scientific Group and of the Multidisciplinary Salivary Gland Society for use in cases of peripheral facial nerve disorders based on a systematic literature search. RESULTS: Required equipment, practical implementation, and interpretation of the results of facial nerve electrodiagnostics are presented. CONCLUSION: The aim of this guideline is to inform all involved parties (i.e. otorhinolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons and other medical specialists, therapeutic professionals and the affected persons) and to provide practical recommendations for the diagnostic use of facial nerve electrodiagnostics.

The Contribution of Surface Electromyographic Assessment for Defining the Stage of Peripheral Facial Paralysis: Flaccid or Sequelae Stage

Abstract Introduction Surface electromyographic activity may not be symmetric, even in subjects with no facial paralysis history. Objective To evaluate the contribution of the index of electromyographic (IEMG) activity in the identification of the two extremes of the facial paralysis course. Methods Thirty-four subjects with unilateral peripheral facial paralysis were selected. A control group was composed of volunteers without a history of facial paralysis. The electromyographic assessment of the facial muscle was performed by placing surface electrodes during movements of the forehead, eyes and lips using MIOTEC equipment, such as the MIOTOOL (Miotec, Porto Alegre, Brazil) software. The electromyographic activity was also recorded in other channels during the primary activity to identify the presence of synkinesis. The statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences for Macintosh (SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL, USA). The IEMG activity was obtained from the division of the electromyographic activity root mean square (RMS) values on both sides. Results There was a statistically significant difference among the groups in all the analyzed indexes. The ocular-oral synkinesis in all patients must be correctly identified (with 100% sensitivity and specificity) using an IEMG activity of 1.62 as a cutoff point. The oral-ocular synkinesis must be correctly identified (93.3% sensitivity and 95.9% specificity) using the IEMG activity of 1.79 as a cutoff point. Conclusion The IEMG activity is below the normal scores in patients in the flaccid stage, whereas patients in the sequelae stage can either show normal values or values above or below the normal scores. The IEMG activity was shown to have high sensitivity and specificity in the identification of synkinesis.

Augmentation effect of acupuncture on Bi'nao for hypophasis in patients with Bell's palsy: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Hypophasis is one of the most frequently observed sequelae of patients with Bell's palsy, who have not recovered completely, creating a clinical difficulty for physicians. Acupuncture therapy has been widely used to treat Bell's palsy as a reasonable resolution for management of symptoms such as hypophasis. The number of acupuncture points (acu-points) is frequently selected in the approach of acupuncture therapy; however, whether these had high efficiency has not been proved. According to the literature review, Bi'nao was useful for treating eye and eye lipid diseases, which could be proved only by some successful cases. Thus, a randomized controlled trial was designed to evaluate the efficiency of the acu-point Bi'nao. METHODS/DESIGN: Participants with hypophasis as the major symptom are selected among patients with Bell's palsy and randomly allocated into one of the three groups at a 1:1:1 allocation ratio. All participants receive conventional acupuncture therapy; however, those assigned to the real acupuncture group will be given added acupuncture therapy on the acu-point Bi'nao, while those assigned to the sham acupuncture group were given extra acupuncture therapy on the sham Bi'nao as a placebo. The efficacy of the acupuncture therapy on the acu-point Bi'nao for hypophasis will be evaluated by Eye Crack Width Measurement (ECWM) and Eyelid Strength Assessment (ESA) before and after therapy. DISCUSSION: This is the first study assessing the safety and efficiency of Bi'nao in treating the hypophasis of patients with Bell's palsy that might support the application of this acupuncture therapy. However, evaluating hypophasis is challenging, and, thus, ECWM and ESA were applied to measure the eyelid movement. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trials Registry, ChiCTR-INR-17012955 . Registered on 12 October 2017.

Societal Identification of Facial Paralysis and Paralysis Location.

IMPORTANCE: When able to identify facial paralysis, members of society regard individuals with facial paralysis differently. They perceive a decrease in attractiveness, more negative affect, and lower quality of life. However, the ability of lay people in society to accurately identify the presence of facial paralysis has not yet been defined. OBJECTIVE: To determine societal members' ability to (1) identify paralysis in varying degrees of paralysis severity and (2) localize the defect on the face. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A prospective observational study conducted in an academic tertiary referral center using a group of 380 casual observers was carried out. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Surveys were designed containing smiling and repose images of normal faces and faces with unilateral facial paralysis of 3 severity levels (low, medium, and high) as categorized by House-Brackmann (HB) grade. The photographs were then shown to casual observers in a web-based survey. After reviewing both normal faces and faces with varying degrees of paralysis, they then indicated (1) whether paralysis was present and (2) if so, where the paralysis was on the face. RESULTS: A total of 380 participants (267 [70.3%] women and 113 [29.7%] men with a mean [SD] age of 29 [12] years) successfully completed the survey, viewing 2860 facial photographs in aggregate. The accuracy rate of identifying paralysis increased from low-grade through high-grade paralysis. Facial paralysis was identified in 249 (34.6%) of 719 facial photographs with low-grade paralysis, 448 (63.2%) of 709 with medium-grade paralysis, and 696 (96.7%) of 720 with high-grade paralysis (χ2 = 912.6, P < .001); 6.2% (44/731) of normal faces were incorrectly identified as having paralysis (χ2 = 912.6, P < .001). Participants correctly localized paralysis in 157 (63.0%) of 249 low-grade photographs, 307 (68.5%) of 448 medium-grade photographs, and 554 (79.6%) of 696 high-grade photographs (χ2 = 32.5, P < .001). In general, participants tended to identify facial paralysis more accurately in smiling vs repose faces (48.6% vs 20.6%, 92.4% vs 33.7%, and 96.7% vs 96.6% in low-, medium-, and high-grade paralysis, respectively) (χ2 = 62.2, P < .001; χ2 = 262.6, P < .001; χ2 = 0.0, P = .96, respectively). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The ability of individuals to identify the presence of facial paralysis increased as paralysis severity increased. Further, smiling increased accurate identification. However, even when individuals can identify paralysis, they are not necessarily able to accurately localize the paralysis on a face. This may speak to a phenomenon in which perception of a facial defect comes from a holistic interpretation of a face, rather than a clinically accurate specification of the defect location. These findings are important in the future counseling of patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA.

[JIN Bohua's experience of peripheral facial paralysis diagnosed and treated by Yifeng (TE 17)].

To introduce famous TCM doctor JIN Bohua's experience of peripheral facial paralysis diagnosed and treated by Yifeng (TE 17). Based on holism concept of TCM, Doctor JIN refers to modern medicine and takes Yifeng (TE 17) as the main acupoint for its diagnosis, treatment and prognosis. She determines severe degree according to the pressing pain of Yifeng (TE 17) and the significance of positive substances. She inserts the needle at the acupoint to pharynx and larynx, with 60°~80° from skin. The inserting method is to ensure quick qi arrival and safety. Besides, the manipulations are various according to different stage principles.

[Summary of professor YANG Jun's experience for intractable facial paralysis].

Professor YANG Jun's experience of diagnosis and treatment for intractable facial paralysis is introduced. Professor YANG focuses on the thinking model that combines TCM, western medicine and acupuncture, and adopts the differentiation system that combines disease differentiation, syndrome differentiation and meridian differentiation; he adopts the treatment integrates etiological treatment, overall regulation, symptomatic treatment as well as acupuncture, moxibustion, medication and flash cupping. The acupoints of yangming meridians are mostly selected, and acupoints of governor vessel such as Dazhui (GV 14) and Jinsuo (GV 8) are highly valued. The multiple-needles shallow-penetration-insertion twirling lifting and thrusting technique are mostly adopted to achieve slow and mild acupuncture sensation; in addition, the facial muscles are pulled up with mechanics action. The intensive stimulation with electroacupuncture is recommended at Qianzheng (Extra), Yifeng (TE 17) and Yangbai (GB 14), which is given two or three treatments per week.

A case study of Ramsay Hunt Syndrome in conjunction with cranial polyneuritis.

RATIONALE: Ramsay Hunt syndrome in conjunction with cranial polyneuritis is not extensively documented, and is very easily misdiagnosed. PATIENT CONCERNS: A case of a 53-year-old male with Ramsay Hunt syndrome in conjunction with cranial polyneuritis is presented with early symptoms of vertigo, cephalalgia, and facial palsy, followed by zoster oticus 10 days later. DIAGNOSES: Diagnosis was challenging as this condition presents with multiple neuropathies, and attempting to diagnose based on clinical symptoms was often misleading. Polymerase chain reaction can be used to test for presence of the virus in the cerebrospinal fluid, followed by targeted drug therapy. INTERVENTIONS: Acupuncture, in conjunction with fire cupping, bloodletting around the afflicted region on the face, as well as oral consumption of herbal medicine and vitamins for nerve nourishment was given to treat this disease. OUTCOMES: Due to misdiagnosis resulting in delayed treatment, peripheral facial paralysis was left as the main sequelae, while other symptoms responded quickly to treatment. After a 6-month follow-up, facial palsy was still present. LESSONS: Considering that targeted antiviral therapy can be used to increase the effectiveness of treatment, early diagnosis, and timely use of medication is critical.

Resultados del tratamiento kinésico precoz y oportuno en un niño con Parálisis Facia / Results of early and timely kinetic treatment in a child with Facia paralysis

the case of a 12 years old male patient with right Facial Paralysis diagnosis begin his treatment in the SUK (Physiotherapy University Service). At the beginning of the treatment, the patient presents: a fascial alteration with noticeable muscle weakness on the right side and a increased muscular tone on the opposite side. The patient receive nine (9) sessions of physiotherapy treatment based on indirect selective electromiostimultion with exponential and rectangular current, asociated with muscle rehabilitation exercises and massotherapy. By this tecnic, the muscular thofysm is mantein. Once that the patient recovered the muscular functions, he were able to develop symmetry and sychrony on his gesture. The patient achive his total recuperation in a short time and with a low number of session without any complication associate to the treatment

Paciente de 12 años, de sexo masculino, con diagnóstico médico de parálisis facial derecha, que ingresa al Servicio Universitario de Kinesiología de la Facultad de Medicina de la UNNE. Al inicio del tratamiento, el paciente presenta: alteración de la fascie con una marcada hipotonía de la hemicara afectada y una leve hipertonía en el lado contralateral. Se realizaron nueve sesiones de tratamiento kinésico basado en electroestimulación muscular selectiva indirecta con corriente exponencial y rectangular, asociada a ejercicios de reeducación muscular y masoterapia. Mediante esta técnica se logra mantener el trofismo muscular; una vez que el paciente recupera las funciones musculares, posteriormente desarrolla simetría y sincronía en la realización de los gestos de la mímica. El paciente logra su recuperación total en un corto considerado breve, sin ninguna complicación derivada de la utilización de electroestimulación

["Santong Needling" by Stages for Moderate and Severe Peripheral Facial Paralysis in the Acute Period].

OBJECTIVE: To observe clinical effects of "Santong needling" by stages for patients with moderate and severe peripheral facial paralysis (PFP) in the acute period. METHODS: Sixty patients with moderate and severe PFP were equally and randomly divided into Santong needling group and control group. The patients of the Santong needling group were treated by shallow puncture of Yifeng (TE 17, on the affected side) and Hegu (LI 4, on the healthy side) without needle manipulation in the acute stage ("Qing-tong", mild dredging) , by oblique-penetrative puncture of Dicang (ST 4) to Jiache (ST 6), etc. , and moderate manipulation of needles in the resting stage ("Qiang-tong", stronger dredging) , and by oblique-penetrative puncture of Dicang (ST 4) to Jiache (ST 6), etc., and reinforcing needling manipulation in the recovery stage("Bu-tong", tonifying dredging). The patients of the control group were treated by "Jingjin" (musculotendon) puncture of the same acupoints. The treatment was conducted once daily, 5 times per week for 6 weeks. The 0-3-grade scores of therapeutic effects were evaluated according to the severity of the patients' symptoms and signs (including forehead stripes, palpebral fissure, nasolabial groove, drooping of the mouth angle, bulging cheek-air leak, food residue, dysgeusis, hyperacusi, lacrimation, and orbicularis oculi reflex). The therapeutic effect index = (score of pre-treatment--score of post-treatment)/score of pre-treatment x100% . The patients' life quality scores were assessed by using the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL)-BREF questionnaire. RESULTS: After the treatment, the scores of clinical symptoms and signs were significantly decreased in both control and Santong needling groups in comparison with pre-treatment in the same one group (P < 0.05), suggesting an improvement of facial nerve function after 6 weeks' treatment. Of the two 30 patients in the control group and Santong needling group, 11 (36.7%) and 15 (50.0%) were cured, 8 (26.7%) and 9 (30.0%) experienced marked improvement, 5 (16.6%) and 4 (13.3%) were effective, and 6 (20.0%) and 2 (6.7%) invalid, with the effective rates being 80.0% and 93.3%, respectively. The therapeutic effect of Santong needling group was evidently superior to that of the control group (P < 0.05). Three-months' follow up showed that the WHOQOL-BREF scores were comparable between pre- and post-treatment in the same one group and between the two groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Santong needling by stages is effective in improving clinical symptoms and signs of patients with moderate and severe peripheral facial paralysis.

Tratamiento con acupuntura en pacientes afectados por parálisis facial periférica / Treatment with Acupuncture in Patients Suffering from Peripheral Facial Paralysis

Introducción: la parálisis facial periférica afecta aproximadamente a 40 000 personas en el mundo cada año. El empleo de medicamentos es eficaz en el tratamiento de la parálisis de Bell, pero al mismo tiempo provoca efectos adversos. El tratamiento con acupuntura es una posible alternativa.Objetivo: valorar la efectividad del tratamiento con acupuntura en pacientes afectados por parálisis facial periférica.Métodos: se realizó un estudio cuasi-experimental entre enero y diciembre de 2013 en el Servicio de Rehabilitación Integral La California Sur, estado Miranda, en Venezuela. La muestra quedó constituida por 60 pacientes.Resultados: El sexo más afectado es el femenino, en el grupo de edades entre 30 y 44 años, con un número total de 36 pacientes que representa el 60 %. Los resultados del tratamiento se evaluaron como buenos en 49 pacientes (81,66 %).Conclusiones: el tratamiento con acupuntura en pacientes afectados por parálisis facial periférica es una alternativa efectiva.(AU)

Introduction: peripheral facial paralysis affects nearly 40 000 people in the world each year. The use of drugs is effective in the treatment of Bell's palsy, but at the same time causes adverse effects. Acupuncture treatment is a possible alternative.Objective: to assess acupunctural treatment in patients suffering from peripheral facial paralysis.Methods: a quasi- experimental study in 60 patients suffering from peripheral facial paralysis was performed at the service of the integral rehabilitation from La California Sur in Venezuela from January to December 2013. The sample was composed of 60 patientsResults: the most affected sex was the female one is the in the age group between 30 and 44 years, with a total number of 36 patients representing 60 %. The treatment results were evaluated as good in 49 patients (81.66 %).Conclusions: acupuncture treatment in patients with peripheral facial paralysis is an effective alternative.(AU)

Contemporary solutions for the treatment of facial nerve paralysis.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: After reviewing this article, the participant should be able to: 1. Understand the most modern indications and technique for neurotization, including masseter-to-facial nerve transfer (fifth-to-seventh cranial nerve transfer). 2. Contrast the advantages and limitations associated with contiguous muscle transfers and free-muscle transfers for facial reanimation. 3. Understand the indications for a two-stage and one-stage free gracilis muscle transfer for facial reanimation. 4. Apply nonsurgical adjuvant treatments for acute facial nerve paralysis. SUMMARY: Facial expression is a complex neuromotor and psychomotor process that is disrupted in patients with facial paralysis breaking the link between emotion and physical expression. Contemporary reconstructive options are being implemented in patients with facial paralysis. While static procedures provide facial symmetry at rest, true 'facial reanimation' requires restoration of facial movement. Contemporary treatment options include neurotization procedures (a new motor nerve is used to restore innervation to a viable muscle), contiguous regional muscle transfer (most commonly temporalis muscle transfer), microsurgical free muscle transfer, and nonsurgical adjuvants used to balance facial symmetry. Each approach has advantages and disadvantages along with ongoing controversies and should be individualized for each patient. Treatments for patients with facial paralysis continue to evolve in order to restore the complex psychomotor process of facial expression.

Half-mirror biofeedback exercise in combination with three botulinum toxin A injections for long-lasting treatment of facial sequelae after facial paralysis.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The present study was conducted to develop a new method for maintaining the effect of botulinum toxin treatment for facial sequelae. We used a combination strategy including the administration of botulinum toxin three times at 6-8-month intervals followed by daily newly developed half-mirror biofeedback rehabilitation for about 2 years from the first injection. STUDY DESIGN: This was a prospective study. METHODS: Seventeen patients with unilateral facial palsy for >1 year were included in the study. The amount injected per site varied from 1.5 to 3 U. The purpose of the first injection was to reduce the most inconvenient facial problem such as facial synkinesis or hyperkinetic movement at the points of the periocular area and the zygomaticus major and minor muscles with an average dosage of 17.4 ± 13.9 U. The second injection was to enhance facial symmetry at prominent hypertrophic areas on the contralateral side with 36.5 ± 15.4 U, and the third injection was to add cosmetic configuration at the points of deep furrows and creases caused by facial muscular hyperkinesis or atrophy with 15.6 ± 8.4 U. RESULT: After three injections of botulinum toxin A and 2 years of half-mirror biofeedback exercises, all patients showed marked relief of facial synkinesis and facial asymmetry. Before treatment, the mean ± standard deviation (SD) Sunnybrook (SB) score was 36.8 ± 8.76. After the first injection, the score increased by 11.4. After the second injection, the score increased by 14.6; it further increased by 15.6 after the third injection. CONCLUSION: This facial rehabilitation strategy, consisting of three injections of botulinum toxin and half-mirror biofeedback exercises, proceeds over the course of 2 years and offers a long-lasting cure for facial synkinesis and facial symmetry as well as improved facial aesthetics.

[Management of peripheral facial nerve palsy in children]. / Prise en charge de la paralysie faciale périphérique chez l'enfant.

Peripheral facial nerve palsy may (secondary) or may not have a detectable cause (idiopathic facial palsy or Bell's palsy). Idiopathic facial palsy is the common form of facial palsy. It remains diagnosis by exclusion. The prognosis is more favourable in children than in adults. We present current diagnostic procedures and recommendations regarding treatment in children.

[EMG biofeedback training at home for patient with chronic facial palsy and defective healing]. / EMG Biofeedback Training zuhause zur Therapie der Defektheilung bei chronischer Fazialisparese.

BACKGROUND: There is no standard for the adjuvant treatment of patients with chronic facial palsy and defective healing. There is a lack of standard for mimic training programs with biofeedback technique. The advantages of modern EMG based biofeedback training have not been evaluated yet. MATERIAL AND METHODS: After detailed instruction 8 patients with facial palsy tested several types of electrodes and different EMG biofeedback programs without and with electrostimulation for selected mimic muscle activation, muscle relaxation, coordinated movements with the healthy contralateral side, as well as synchronous activation and relaxation of synkinetic muscle pairs at home. Feasibility, practical handling, training intensity and compliance were evaluated. RESULTS: Because of the mobility of the facial skin connected to the mimic muscles and the smallness of the muscles on the other hand, only one type of electrodes and one size was suitable. A step-wise treatment algorithm for the use of the different EMG biofeedback program was developed supporting the patient to specifically exercise deficits of defective healing at home. CONCLUSION: The proposed standardized algorithm to treat facial defective healing with EMG biofeedback is the basis for the evaluation of its efficacy in a subsequent clinical trial.