Long‐Term Effect of Prednisolone on Functional Blink Recovery after Transient Peripheral Facial Motor Paralysis

Abstract

The authors demonstrate that prednisolone significantly increased the orbicularis oculi muscle activity and significantly improved functional blink recovery in severely affected Bell palsy patients. However, the increase of muscle activity was insufficient to restore functional blinking to normal values.

Current considerations in the management of facial nerve palsy

“…In concert with this recommendation, VanderWerf et al [21] found that treatment with oral prednisolone within 5 days of symptom onset accelerated the electromyographic recovery of orbicularis oculi function. They found that magnet fixation to the eyelid did not affect palpebral fissure height and that all 13 individuals in their study had improved eyelid closure, In 2012, the American Academy of Neurology released an updated guideline report stating that systemic steroids should be offered to patients with new-onset Bell's palsy to increase the chance of facial nerve recovery (Level A recommendation) [20 && ].…”