Recurrent Bell's palsy

Abstract

Objective

Although recurrent facial palsy was first reported in 1871, the etiology, definitions, classifications, pathogenesis, treatment options, and prognosis have not been clearly determined. There have been no systematic reviews and meta‐analyses of recurrent Bell's palsy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical manifestations of recurrent Bell's palsy through a systematic review and meta‐analysis.

Design

The SCOPUS, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and EBSCO databases were searched through May 1, 2018, using the search terms 'recurrent Bell's palsy' and 'recurrent facial palsy', for studies involving patients with recurrent Bell's palsy. Reference lists of eligible studies were also reviewed.

Results

A search of titles and abstracts in these four databases identified 222 studies; of these, 27 studies, involving 1,041 patients from 13 countries, were analyzed. The mean percentage of patients who experienced recurrence of Bell's palsy ranged from 0.8% to 19.4%. Five studies that included 191 patients were included in the meta‐analysis.

Conclusions

Among patients previously affected by Bell's palsy, the mean incidence of recurrent Bell's palsy was 6.5%. Sidedness of recurrent disease, relative to the side of the original disease, had no effect on patient prognosis. Of all patients with Bell's palsy, 66.0% recovered completely, with the recovery rate lower in patients with recurrent than with primary Bell's palsy.

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