Modified Stennert's Protocol in Treating Acute Peripheral Facial Nerve Paralysis: Our Experience

The aim of this study was to know the effect of modified Stennert's protocol on Bell's palsy and delayed onset post traumatic facial nerve paralysis. Retrospective study method which included 26 patients was done. Of this 19 patients had Bell's palsy and seven patients had delayed onset post traumatic facial nerve paralysis. All patients started on modified Stennert's protocol. Nineteen patients were observed and had idiopathic facial nerve paralysis. Fifteen patients showed clinical improvement by the 10th day and by the end of 1 month, 18 patients showed significant symptomatic improvement. One patient had residual defects at 6 months. Of the seven patients with delayed onset post traumatic facial nerve paralysis, three patients had to undergo facial nerve decompression, the remaining four receiving only modified Stennert's protocol. Improvement was seen in three patients by the 10th day. By the end of 1 month a total of five patients showed significant symptomatic improvement. Our experience suggests that regardless of the cause, sudden onset facial paralysis responds favorably to administration of modified Stennert's regimen, resulting in faster recovery and lesser sequelae.