[Hydroxyethyl starch in the treatment of Bell's facial paralysis. A clinical study]

Nowadays an infusion therapy composed of cortisone, low-molecular dextran, and pentoxifylline is the most common treatment of Bell's palsy. During recent years it has become well known that low-molecular dextran has several severe side effects (e.g. acute renal failure). - At the ENT Department of the University of Göttingen 33 patients with Bell's palsy were treated with an infusion therapy which replaced low-molecular dextran by hydroxyethyl starch. Before and after therapy patients underwent a special diagnostic procedure for the facial nerve function consisting of --determination of the degree of paralysis and secondary defects (14) --a complete electrophysiological examination. The patients were followed up for at least 6 months. It was found that 97% of the patients had a complete functional recovery.