Indications for surgery for Bell's palsy.

Transmastoid surgical decompression of the facial nerve was found to have no positive effect in recovery from facial nerve function in patients with Bell's palsy. Since the risks of such surgery are greater than the benefits, this procedure should not be performed on patients with Bell's palsy unless a tumor is suspected. A mass lesion is suspected if there is complete paralysis and loss of response to evoked electromyography within the first 2 weeks after onset of the palsy or if there is recurrent facial paralysis on the same side. Rehabilitation surgical procedures should be reserved for patients with acute Bell's palsy with keratitis unresponsive to medical therapy or for those seen late in the course of the disease to correct undesirable sequelae.