[Orbicularis oculi reflex after facial paralysis: decreased amplitude of reflex response and spreading to all hemifacial muscles after reinnervation (author's transl)].

After the acute stage of peripheral facial paralysis with nerve degeneration we find some signs of paresis after reinnervation due to insufficient motor recovery and associated movements due to faulty reinnervation. Electromyographical investigation of the orbicularis oculi reflex can be used for the objective evaluation of these two phenomena. This shows the following typical signs: 1. The amplitudes of the early and late reflex response are decreased on the affected side proportionate to the degree of paresis. 2. The response occurs in all reinnervated hemifacial muscles as a result of misdirection of fibres which originally innervated the orbicularis oculi muscle.