FACIAL PALSY - TREATMENT OPTIONS.

Facial palsy poses a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge to the doctor. Definite treatment modalities, medical, surgical and physical have evolved and can be used either singly or in combination to treat this condition successfully. 25 cases of facial palsy of varied aetiology managed over 2 year period in the Neurotology clinic of Armed Forces Medical College are presented. 10 cases underwent medical management only. 15 cases underwent surgical management, consisting of facial nerve decompression (10), nerve approximation (2), nerve grafting (1) and hypoglossal facial anastamosis [2]. All patients underwent physiotherapy to the paralysed face. Patients with Bell's palsy had 83.5% recovery (5 out of 6 cases), CSOM cases after surgical decompression of facial nerve had a 100% recovery (3 out of 3 cases), iatrogenic facial palsy 80% (8 out of 10 cases) and patients after tumour excision 68% (4 out of 6 cases) recovery. The diagnostic approach, method of evaluation of degree of facial palsy based on clinical, electrodiagnostic tests and the various treatment modalities are discussed.