title: [The new S2k AWMF guideline for the treatment of Bell's palsy in commented short form].
abstract: A new S2k AWMF guideline for the treatment of idiopathic facial palsy has been published. An accurate differential diagnosis is indispensable as 25-40% of all facial palsy cases are of non-idiopathic origin. It is explicitly recommended to treat patients with idiopathic facial palsy with steroids. Steroids favour a complete recovery, decrease the risk of synkinesis, autonomic sequelae and contractures. Adjuvant antiviral therapy cannot be recommended. On current data there is not sufficient evidence that the combination of steroids with antiviral drugs has a benefit for the patients. Even when not supported by randomized trials, adjuvant symptomatic therapy to protect the cornea and to avoid complications is recommended. There is no scientific evidence that physical therapy has any benefit but it should be taken into account because of psychological reasons. A benefit of acupuncture has not been proven. If eye closure remains incomplete as result of defective healing, one therapeutic option is lid loading of the upper eye lid. Moreover, in case of severe persistent palsy, several well-established microsurgical nerve and muscle plasty procedures are available.
authors.affiliation: Klinikum Landshut, Neurologische Klinik, Landshut.
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Heckmann
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lang
authors.forename: F X
authors.initials: FX
authors.lastname: Glocker
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Urban
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bischoff
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Weder
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Reiter
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Meier
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Guntinas-Lichius
mesh_terms: D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020330:Bell Palsy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005143:Eyelids / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011379:Prognosis; D019736:Prostheses and Implants
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000998:Antiviral Agents