Diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of patients with facial neuropathy (FN) is a significant medical problem. The aim of the work was to create, implement and evaluate the effectiveness of an internal algorithm for working with patients suffering from FN.Material and methods. The study included 53 patients: group 1 (n = 27) — treatment in the first 2 weeks from the moment of development of symptoms, group 2 (n = 11) — for more than 2 weeks to 3 months, group 3 (n = 15) — for more than 1 year. The algorithm of diagnosis and treatment were created in the N.V. Sklifosovskii Research Institute of Emergency Medical Care. It includes a multidisciplinary approach, teamwork and continuity.Results. In patients with FN diff erent genesis, at the beginning of treatment in the acute period, complete restoration of the function of the facial nerve and facial muscles occurred in 74% of cases in the period from 2 weeks to 9 months, the period depended on the severity of clinical manifestations (House–Brackmann scale) (r = 0.539, p = 0.014), the degree of nerve damage according to electroneuromyography (ENMG) (r = 0.595, p = 0.006), the severity of complications (contractures and synkinesias) (r = 0.524, p = 0.018). In patients with idiopathic FN, at the beginning of treatment in the acute period, complete recovery was observed in 81.3% of cases. At the beginning of treatment of patients with a disease period of more than a year, conservative tactics led to an improvement in 67% of cases.There was an incomplete correspondence between the clinical (House–Brackmann scale) and degree of nerve damage according to ENMG (r = 0.620, p = 0.004). ENMG should be performed when the House–Brackmann is VI degree. In cases of a decrease in the amplitude of the M-response by 90% or more compared to the healthy side, needle myography (IMG) is indicated. In the absence of motor unit potentials (PDE), it is necessary to consider the issue of surgical treatment, which is indicated in the acute period of FN to every 10 patients, and after a year in cases of lack of recovery — to every second.FN should be considered a progressive disease due to the development of complications, such as the consequences of lagophthalmos, contracture, synkinesia. Lagophthalmos occurs in 73.5% of patients with various consequences — from dry eye syndrome to corneal ulcers, so it is important to use local protective and regenerating drugs early to prevent the development of keratopathies, even with a mild degree of lagophthalmos. Hypertonus of facial muscles is formed already on the 7th day of the disease on the healthy side of the face in an average of 67% of patients, and in the absence of timely treatment — in more than 90% of patients. Synkinesia develops in the period from 4 months to a year in every fifth patient. Timely detection and correction of complications prevents their further development and leads to a complete restoration of the facial nerve function.The success of recovery in FN depends more on identifying the risks of complications and carrying out their prevention. Risk factors for the development of contractures and synkinesias are: prosoplegia, facial nerve damage by more than 90% according to ENMG and gross exercises. FN, despite the different causes of its development, clinically has similar sanogenetic mechanisms, which should be used in rehabilitation.

Facial nerve neuropathy can manifest itself with gross organic and functional disorders. The esthetic defect worsens social adaptation and quality of life. However, there is no consensus, protocol or algorithm of treatment of the patient with this pathology. In article we present a modern way of treatment and rehabilitation of patients with neuropathy of a facial nerve of various etiology. Conservative and surgical types of treatment are applied during the different periods of a disease. Surgical methods of treatment can be divided into two groups: reconstructive, decompressive and also plastic. The choice of a type of operation is defined individually with many factors, including an etiology and time of a disease. Both the new and tested by time techniques are applied. Conservative therapy includes corticosteroids, antiviral, antibacterial drugs depending on a clinical situation. Traditionally specialists of policlinics and hospitals appoint additional therapy (group B vitamins, cholinesterase inhibitors, antioxidants, neuroprotectors, nootropic drugs), however single small researches couldn't enforce these drugs recommendations. Botulinum toxin type A is effective in the acute and chronic periods of a disease. Depending on a clinical situation of botulinum toxin type A are injected both in affected, and in healthy part of the face. Patients with incomplete eye closure are given keratoprotection as early as possible, and blepharography is performed in case of pronounced deficit. As an alternative method, botulinum toxin type A injections are used into the upper eyelid lifting muscle. One of the most effective methods of rehabilitation of patients with facial nerve neuropathy is therapeutic physical education such as neuromuscular retraining with biological feedback. The most optimal combination is the injection of botulinum toxin type A and therapeutic physical education.

Государственное бюджетное учреждение здравоохранения города Москвы «Научно-исследовательский институт скорой помощи им. Н.В. Склифосовского Департамента здравоохранения города Москвы», Москва, Россия Невропатия лицевого нерва приводит к грубым нарушениям, в том числе выраженному эстетическому дефекту, который болезненно воспринимается пациентом и социально его дезадаптирует. Одним из новых эффективных методов лечения невропатии лицевого нерва является применение ботулинического токсина типа А. Ботулинотерапия проводится как в остром периоде заболевания для улучшения симметрии, восстановления функции мышц пораженной стороны, профилактики развития контрактур, так и в хронической стадиис той же целью, а также для коррекции синкинезий. Ботулинотерапия может рассматриваться и с позиции эстетической коррекции, поскольку является альтернативой пластическим операциям. С целью устранения лагофтальма и препятствия развитию офтальмологических осложнений инъекции ботулинического токсина могут проводиться в мышцу, поднимающую верхнее веко, вызывая временный обратимый медикаментозный птоз. Определен круг вопросов, требующих уточнения. К л ю ч е в ы е с л о в а : невропатия лицевого нерва; паралич Белла; ботулинический токсин типа А; асимметрия лица; синкинезии.

The facial nerve (fn) palsy is a disease of the peripheral nervous system that leads to aesthetic, organic and functional disorders. The causes of the disease are different, the most common is the idiopathic form bell’s palsy. With a conservative approach to therapy, up to 80% of patients note the complete recovery of the lost functions of facial muscles, the others have the likelihood of severe consequences. Electroneuromyography is used to assess the risk of a negative outcome of the disease. In cases of confirmation of severe nerve damage, surgical treatment is suggested. The article presents a clinical case of complete recovery of the function of facial muscles in a patient with severe damage to the a nerve and an unfavorable prognosis. The course of the disease, complications of bell’s palsy and methods of their correction are described. Timely correct choice of treatment tactics and prevention of complications minimizes negative consequences. When working with a patient, a differentiated approach is important depending on the clinical situation.

Facial synkinesis is involuntary contractions of unrelated groups of facial muscles that occur during voluntary movement. The article presents a review of scientific literature of the problem pathological synkinesis as a complication of facial neuropathy. The mechanism of their development and the main theories of occurrence are described. We describе the types (patterns) of synkinesis, methods for theirs detecting, description of clinical manifestations, methods of instrumental diagnostics. We reviewed approaches to treatment and rehabilitation, the main types of conservative and surgical treatment.