Rehabilitation of facial paralysis in children.

Abstract

We report the experience and philosophy of the Department of Otolaryngology and Communicative Disorders at the Cleveland Clinic in rehabilitation of facial paralysis in children 12 years old and younger. The causes and evaluation of facial paralysis in children and the options available for rehabilitation are considered, and the criteria, expectations, and limitations of successful rehabilitation are outlined. Depending on the limitations imposed by the clinical situation, the aims of treatment are as follows: (1) normal resting tonus, (2) symmetry at rest, (3) symmetry in motion, (4) no synkinesis, (5) appropriate mimetic function, (6) no significant loss of adjacent function, and (7) rapid return of function. Every attempt must be made to avoid causing any significant muscular or neurologic deficit and to avoid interfering with return of function of the seventh nerve, when that possibility exists.