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Updated: May 1, 2026
Single-stage Dynamic Reanimation of the Smile in Irreversible Facial Paralysis by Free Functional Muscle Transfer
Published on: March 1, 2015
Evidence based management of Bell's palsy
James A McCaul1, Luke Cascarini2, Daryl Godden3
1Bradford Teaching Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust, Research and Trials Lead Bradford Institute for Health Research, Visiting Senior Lecturer Leeds Institute for Molecular Medicine, United Kingdom.
Abstract:
Bell's palsy (idiopathic facial paralysis) is caused by the acute onset of lower motor neurone weakness of the facial nerve with no detectable cause. With a lifetime risk of 1 in 60 and an annual incidence of 11-40/100,000 population, the condition resolves completely in around 71% of untreated cases. In the remainder facial nerve function will be impaired in the long term. We summarise current published articles regarding early management strategies to maximise recovery of facial nerve function and minimise long-term sequelae in the condition.
