Treatment of Bell's Palsy. An analysis of the available studies.

In this paper the basic requirements for a clinical therapeutic trial in Bell's palsy are discussed. The available therapeutic studies are analysed in view of these requirements. The following conclusions seem justified: (1) Galvanic stimulation has not been proved to lead to a better recovery. (2) There is no evidence that decompression of the mastoid part of the facial nerve in the second or third week has a positive effect. Whether surgery at an earlier stage or decompression of the complete intratemporal part of the nerve is effective, has not yet been studied. (3) There is no convincing proof that prednisone administration up to a daily dose of 60-80 mg during the first days has any effect.