title: Obstetric anesthesia in patients with idiopathic facial paralysis (Bell's palsy): a 10-year survey.
abstract: During pregnancy there is an increased incidence of idiopathic facial paralysis (Bell's palsy). During a 10-yr period, 36 patients with a diagnosis of pregnancy-associated Bell's palsy were identified retrospectively. Twenty-five patients developed symptoms during the third trimester, whereas the remaining 11 became symptomatic during the first week postpartum. Twenty women delivered vaginally and 16 by cesarean section with a variety of anesthetics being used. Five patients received spinal, 22 epidural, and 3 general anesthetics; 7 patients received no anesthesia. The incidence and distribution of the palsy were similar among patients delivered with and without anesthesia. We conclude that the appropriate anesthetic for a given patient may be chosen without concern for the coexisting Bell's palsy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesia, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115.
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Dorsey
authors.forename: W R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Camann
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000773:Anesthesia, Obstetrical; D001724:Birth Weight; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D008423:Maternal Age; D010298:Parity; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D012189:Retrospective Studies