Botulinum toxin treatment for facial palsy: A systematic review.

Cooper L, Lui M, Nduka C. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2017 Jun;70(6):833-841. doi: 10.1016/j.bjps.2017.01.009.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:
Facial palsy may be complicated by ipsilateral synkinesis or contralateral hyperkinesis. Botulinum toxin is increasingly used in the management of facial palsy; however, the optimum dose, treatment interval, adjunct therapy and performance as compared with alternative treatments have not been well established. This study aimed to systematically review the evidence for the use of botulinum toxin in facial palsy.

METHOD:
The Cochrane central register of controlled trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE(R) (1946 to September 2015) and Embase Classic + Embase (1947 to September 2015) were searched for randomised studies using botulinum toxin in facial palsy.

RESULTS:
Forty-seven studies were identified, and three included. Their physical and patient-reported outcomes are described, and observations and cautions are discussed.