Impact of Botulinum Toxin Injections on Quality of Life of Patients with Long-Standing Peripheral Facial Palsy

Abstract

(1) Background: Sequels of facial palsy lead to major psychosocial repercussions, disrupting patients’ quality of life (QoL). Botulinum toxin (BoNT) injections can permit us to treat long-standing facial palsy, improving facial symmetry and functional signs including synkinesis and contractures. (2) Methods: The main aim of this study was to assess the evolution of the QoL for patients with long-standing facial palsy before, at 1 month, and at 4 months after BoNT injections by using three questionnaires (HFS-30, FaCE, and HAD). The other goals were to find clinical factors associated with the improvement in the QoL and to assess the HFS-30 questionnaire for patients with unilateral facial palsy (3) Results: Eighty-eight patients were included in this study. There was a statistically significant improvement in QoL at 1 month after injections, assessed using the three questionnaires. This improvement was sustained at 4 months after the injections, with a statistically significant difference for the HFS-30 and FaCE questionnaires. (4) Conclusions: This study showed that the BoNT injections lead to a significant increase in the QoL of patients with unilateral facial palsy. This improvement is sustained 4 months after the injections.

Botulinum Toxin Injections to Manage Sequelae of Peripheral Facial Palsy

“…In our experience, analysing retrospectively the successive injection records of 88 patients with sequelae of peripheral facial paralysis of any etiology, managed in our center, we studied the number of injections and doses per site [ 11 ]. The mean number of injection sites on the paralyzed side was 17.3 ± 5.1, and the mean number of units injected was 44.6 ± 13.…”

“…It can also improve mobility on the paralyzed side [ 10 ]. In this way, botulinum injections increase the quality of life for patients [ 11 ]. The side effects are minor and reversible over time.…”