The Korean Journal of Pain

The Korean Pain Society (대한통증학회)
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Treatment of Bell's Palsy by Stellate Ganglion Block

안면신경마비에 대한 성상교감신경절 차단요법

  • Cho, Sung-Kuk (Department of Anesthesiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine) ;
  • Yoon, Duck-Mi (Department of Anesthesiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine) ;
  • Oh, Hung-Kun (Department of Anesthesiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine)
  • 조성국 (연세대학교 의과대학 마취과학교실) ;
  • 윤덕미 (연세대학교 의과대학 마취과학교실) ;
  • 오흥근 (연세대학교 의과대학 마취과학교실)
  • Published : 1998.05.30
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Abstract

Bell's palsy is not a serious disease and recovery is spontaneous in more half of the patients, but this recovery is long delayed in many instances and the cosmetic effect of an altered facial appearance is psychologically distressing. The etiology is unknown, but Kettle's ischemic hypothesis has been widely accepted. The aim of treatment is to reduce edema and improve circulation to the facial nerve. Stellate ganglion block (SGB) resulted in abolishing cerebral vascular spasm and in increasing cerebral blood flow. Thus, stellate ganglion block is effective in treatment of Bell's palsy. From 1978 to Oct. 1988, we have treated 222 patients (20 patients were recurred cases) with facial palsy by SGB and analysed the effect of SGB. We noticed that SGB was very effective in early repetitive treatment (90% recovery). This study is reported and the literature is reviewed.

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