[Facial palsy in children]

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Neurology
• Craniofacial Surgery
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Facial palsy (FP) in children presents as congenital or acquired, with congenital cases often linked to trauma and acquired cases requiring etiological investigation.
• Idiopathic facial palsy, where no specific cause is identified, is common and necessitates prompt treatment strategies.
• Understanding the etiology of pediatric facial palsy is crucial for determining prognosis and guiding treatment decisions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the etiologies and management strategies for pediatric facial palsy.
• To highlight the importance of dynamic facial rehabilitation, particularly for the lower third of the face.
• To discuss surgical and non-surgical treatment options, including lengthening temporalis myoplasty (LTM) and botulinum toxin injections.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on pediatric facial palsy.
• Discussion of treatment protocols including corticosteroids, ocular protection, and surgical interventions.
• Emphasis on dynamic rehabilitation principles and techniques.

Main Results:

• Early oral corticosteroid therapy and ocular protection are standard treatments for idiopathic FP.
• Lengthening temporalis myoplasty (LTM) is recommended for its reliable and harmonious smile outcomes.
• Post-surgical rehabilitation focuses on voluntary movement control and leveraging brain plasticity for spontaneous smiles.

Conclusions:

• Effective management of pediatric facial palsy requires a comprehensive approach, addressing both acute treatment and long-term functional and aesthetic rehabilitation.
• Dynamic rehabilitation, especially targeting the lower facial third, is essential for optimizing outcomes.
• Surgical techniques like LTM and adjunct therapies such as botulinum toxin offer valuable options for improving facial symmetry and function in children.