Telemedicine for patients with facial palsy : Current developments and options in otorhinolaryngologic treatment

Abstract

Digitalization is also becoming increasingly important in medicine. The COVID-19 pandemic has further accelerated this process and politicians are trying to create aframework for successful knowledge transfer and better digital medical care. This article describes the role of telemedicine in the treatment of patients suffering from facial nerve palsy. Facial nerve palsy has awide range of effects, from limitations in facial mobility to psychological sequelae. While many of the acute, idiopathic facial nerve palsies improve after afew weeks, around athird of those affected develop synkinesis, involuntary movements that have lifelong functional and psychological consequences. Treatment includes various modalities, from medication and surgery to movement training. Telemedicine offers innovative solutions in cases of regional underuse, but also in the treatment of chronic facial nerve palsies. The article defines the term "telemedicine" in the current context and presents different types of application. Adetailed analysis of the application scenarios of telemedicine in facial nerve palsy patients shows that despite alack of evidence, many potentially useful concepts exist.