[Acquired facial paralysis in children. Our experience apropos of 72 cases]

Results of therapy as a function of etiology are discussed in relation to 72 cases of acquired facial palsy in children. Spontaneous recovery occurred in 28 of the 33 cases with idiopathic facial palsy, this representing the most common form (46 p. cent of total) and appearing to have a still better prognosis than in adults. An infectious origin was determined in 19 cases (26 p. cent). Medical treatment produced complete recovery in 7 of the 8 cases with otitis, while simple mastoidectomy relieved 8 of the 11 patients with facial palsy due to mastoiditis. The indications for operative intervention should be widened in post-traumatic cases (14 in this series) with immediate onset of paralysis. Similarly, medical treatment of secondary paralysis should not delay surgery in cases with no regression after three weeks.