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Long-term Outcome After Acute Peripheral Facial Palsy
David J Ramsey1,2, Laura P Haas1, Susan M Tucker1,2
1Division of Ophthalmology, Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, Peabody, Massachusetts, U.S.A.
Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
|January 30, 2022
Summary
Most patients with acute peripheral facial palsy (APFP) recover fully within a year, even those with Lyme disease. Higher initial palsy severity indicates a poorer prognosis for recovery.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Ophthalmology
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Acute peripheral facial palsy (APFP) affects facial nerve function.
- Understanding long-term outcomes is crucial for patient management and prognosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze long-term outcomes in a large cohort of patients diagnosed with acute peripheral facial palsy (APFP).
Main Methods:
- A hospital-based, cross-sectional study utilizing electronic medical records.
- Kaplan-Meier survival analyses assessed time to recovery.
- Binary logistic regression identified factors associated with patient outcomes.
Main Results:
- 372 patients with APFP were analyzed; 87% achieved complete recovery (average 64 days).
- Higher House-Brackmann (H-B) grades at presentation correlated with longer recovery times, increased aberrant regeneration, and lower recovery rates.
- Seasonal variations in APFP incidence were observed, peaking in early fall.
Conclusions:
- The majority of APFP patients experience full recovery within one year, irrespective of Lyme disease status.
- Initial presentation severity, indicated by H-B grade, is a significant predictor of recovery.
- Aberrant regeneration is common in patients with residual palsies.
