Facial nerve block in the treatment of facial spasm.

Abstract

Facial nerve block made by the direct insertion of a needle into the facial trunk developed has been a valuable method in the treatment of facial spasm. The technique, results, and complications of this method are described in detail. Since the degree of facial nerve injury by the block is controllable, the resulting facial palsy can be minimized. A very limited cicatrization in and around the facial nerve allows repeated application of this method when spasm recurs. The facial palsy that was induced disappeared spontaneously within one or two months in the majority of the cases. The effective period of the nerve block extended between two and 27 months.