• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.117-127
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• 2016

Objectives : This study was performed to observe the effect of complex therapy, including electro-acupuncture and magnetic-acupuncture, on peripheral facial nerve palsy. Methods : Nine patients with peripheral facial nerve palsy were treated with acupuncture using electrical and magnetic stimulation. Acupoints in the face were stimulated with an electromagnetic field, as widely and as evenly as possible. To evaluate the effects before and after treatment we used Yanagihara's unweighted grading system, House-Brackmann scale, and Sunnybrook facial grading system and image once a week. Results : After treatment, the scores of Yanagihara's unweighted grading system, House-Brackmann scale and Sunnybrook facial grading system each improved (p-value < 0.05). Conclusion : Complex therapy using electro-acupuncture and magnetic-acupuncture might be an effective treatment to improve symptoms of peripheral facial nerve palsy. Further randomized-controlled trials are required to verify the efficacy and results of this study.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.107-116
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• 2013

Objjectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the correlation between surface electromyography(SEMG) and assessment scales for facial palsy. Methods : The subjects for this study were 21 patients who had peripheral facial nerve palsy. We analyzed about the correlation between the results of SEMG and facial nerve assessment scales that were carried out at the same time. The assessment scales used in this study were House-Brackmann scale, Yanagihara grading system, Sunnybrook facial grading system. Results : There are considerable correlation between the results of SEMG and the results of three kinds of assessment scales for facial nerve palsy. Conclusions : SEMG may be an objective examination for facial nerve palsy. Some research aimed at development of SEMG examination guideline for facial nerve palsy will be needed after this. And we expect that many researches for development of diagnostic equipments or treatment equipments that utilize SEMG will proceed.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.148-156
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• 2009

Objectives : Facial palsy is not uncommon disease and most patients with facial palsy are peripheral type, as in Bell' s palsy. In western medicine, oral steroid is the mainstay of the treatment. Recently, oriental-western treatment became one of the alternative modality for the treatment of the facial palsy. However, the treatment result and the degree of patient' s satisfaction were not evaluated. In this study, we tried to characterize the clinical characteristics, short-term recovery rate and degree of patient' s satisfaction after oriental-western medicine treatment on facial palsy of peripheral type. Methods : Between May 2008 and December 2008, we examined 16 patients who presented with facial palsy of peripheral type in Dongguk University Medical Center. Clinical characteristics and recovery rate was analyzed by retrospective chart review. The degree of patient' s satisfaction was measured by 5 point scale. Results : The causes of facial palsy were Bell' s palsy (87.5%) and the Ramsay-Hunt syndrome (12.5%). The highest age groups of facial palsy were 6th and 7th decades. Most frequent accompanying symptom was postauricular pain. After oriental-western medicine treatment, 10 patients (62.5%) showed recovery of facial palsy better than House-Brackmann grade 2. 11 patients (68.8%) were satisfied with the oriental-western medicine treatment. Conclusions : Considering the degree of patient' s satisfaction and treatment result, we believe that oriental-western treatment could be safe and reliable protocol for the treatment of facial nerve palsy of peripheral type.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.224-232
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• 2020

Objectives: This case report presents the effects of traditional Korean medicine on a patient with idiopathic bilateral facial nerve palsy. Methods: Two evaluation scales, the House-Brackmann (H-B) scale and the Yanagihara scale, were used to evaluate the symptoms of bilateral facial palsy. Herbal medicine and acupuncture treatment were administered to improve the patient's symptoms in parallel with Western oral medication (Valvirus Tab 500 mg, Solondo 5 mg, Lipitor 20 mg, Almagel 15 ml, Lanston 15 mg). Results: Before treatment, the patient had severe facial paralysis with an H-B scale of 5/5 and a Yanagihara scale of 3/2 on both sides. However, after treatment, the symptoms improved significantly with an H-B scale of 2/3 and a Yanagihara scale of 31/26. Conclusions: This case report shows that traditional Korean medicine in parallel with Western oral medication can be effective in the treatment of idiopathic bilateral facial nerve palsy.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.139-144
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• 2022

Peripheral facial nerve palsy is a neurological condition/disease characterized by unilateral paralysis of the facial muscles. We report the effects of complex Korean medicine treatment in 2 patients diagnosed with Bell's palsy who developed symptoms 3-4 days following vaccination with ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 and who received oral steroids and antiviral medications. Complex Korean medicine treatments including acupuncture, electroacupuncture, bee venom acupuncture, cupping therapy, herbal medicine, and physical therapy were performed. Symptom improvement was evaluated daily using the Numerical Rating Scale, House-Brackmann Grade, and Yanagihara's Score. Patient 1 was hospitalized for 22 days and Patient 2 visited the outpatient clinic 20 times. In both cases, postauricular pain caused by Bell's palsy disappeared, and symptoms of facial paralysis improved following completion of treatment. These findings could suggest that combined Korean medicine treatment may improve symptoms of peripheral facial nerve palsy.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.42-45
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• 1993

Although various methods had been reported for reanimination of facial nerve palsy, interposition nerve graft remains superior to other methods if there is a wide gap to be bridged. Dott described a excllent facial nerve reconstruction by sural nerve graft bypassing petrous bone. But his method needs two surgical fields and is performed in two stages. Authors desribe a traumatic facial nerve palsy treated by one stage facial nerve reconstruction that is performed in one surgical field by using a great auricular nerve interposition graft and bypass the petous bone.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.337-344
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• 2020

Facial paralysis is a devastating disease, the treatment of which is challenging. The use of the masseteric nerve in facial reanimation has become increasingly popular and has been applied to an expanded range of clinical scenarios. However, appropriate selection of the motor nerve and reanimation method is vital for successful facial reanimation. In this literature review on facial reanimation and the masseter nerve, we summarize and compare various reanimation methods using the masseter nerve. The masseter nerve can be used for direct coaptation with the paralyzed facial nerve for temporary motor input during cross-facial nerve graft regeneration and for double innervation with the contralateral facial nerve. The masseter nerve is favorable because of its proximity to the facial nerve, limited donor site morbidity, and rapid functional recovery. Masseter nerve transfer usually leads to improved symmetry and oral commissure excursion due to robust motor input. However, the lack of a spontaneous, effortless smile is a significant concern with the use of the masseter nerve. A thorough understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of the use of the masseter nerve, along with careful patient selection, can expand its use in clinical scenarios and improve the outcomes of facial reanimation surgery.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.1-10
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• 2007

Objectives The purpose of this study is to report a pediatric patient with bilateral facial nerve palsy. Methods The patient was treated by acupuncture, moxa, herb(Cheongungkyeoji-tang, Palmulgunja-tang) for 1 month. We described his progression and measured the degree by House-Brackmann scale and Yanagihara's scale. Results He started getting better from 7th day of the onset. During admission, the facial palsy had improved from Grade V/V(Rt/Lt) to Grade II/II(Rt/Lt) by House-Brackmann scale and from 0/0(Rt/Lt)score to 36/36(Rt/Lt)score by Yanagihara's scale. Conclusions Compared with unilateral facial nerve palsy cases, this case was not different from the time when it got better, and how much it improved. However, biased degree had increased and then decreased because of the time gap between the right facial improvements and left facial one.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.1-17
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• 2001

Background and Objetive : Lack of uniformity in reporting facial nerve recovery in patients with facial nerve paralysis has been a major disadvantage in comparing treatment modalities. The objective evaluation of facial nerve function is a complex procedure. The House and Brackmann grading system, the Yanagihara grading system has been recommend as a universal standard for assessing the degree of facial nerve palsy. However, clinical studies for treatment of facial palsy have rarely used this universal standard in oriental medicine. That is the reason for analysing this facial nerve grading system. Material and Method : We choose 10 scales reported from 1955 till 1995. These facial nerve grading systems may be classified as Gross system, Regional system and Specific system. Result and Conculsion : The scales of Botmann and Jonkees, May, Peitersen, and House and Brackmann are the gross facial nerve grading systems with which we grossly assess the facial motor dysfunction and the secondary defect. Among these scales, H-B scale is the most widespred The scales of Yanagihara(若杉文吉), Smith, Adour and Swanson, Jassen, FEMA are the regional facial nerve grading system in which we weight, or unweight the facial motor dysfunction and the secondary defect. For example, the scales of Yanagihara(若杉文吉) and Smith are the unweighted regional scale, the scale of Adour and Swanson, Jassen, FEMA are the weighted regional grading system. The scale of Stennert is the Specific facial nerve grading system in which we respectively assess the grade of facial dysfunction at rest, in motion and the secondary defect. For the objective evaluation of the oriental medicine treatment for facial palsy, we must use the universal standard scale, i.e. the H-B scale, the Yanagihara scale.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.288-292
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• 2012

Objective : Microvascular decompression (MVD) for hemifacial spasm (HFS) is a safe and effective treatment with favorable outcomes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of delayed cranirve (VI, VII, and VIII) palsy following MVD and its clinical courses. Methods : Between January 1998 and December 2009, 1354 patients underwent MVD for HFS at our institution. Of them, 100 patients (7.4%) experienced delayed facial palsy (DFP), one developed sixth nerve palsy, and one patient had delayed hearing loss. Results : DFP occurred between postoperative day number 2 and 23 (average 11 days). Ninety-two patients (92%) completely recovered; however, House-Brackmann grade II facial weakness remained in eight other patients (8%). The time to recovery averaged 64 days (range, 16 days to 9 months). Delayed isolated sixth nerve palsy recovered spontaneously without any medical or surgical treatment after 8 weeks, while delayed hearing loss did not improve. Conclusion : Delayed cranial nerve (VI, VII, and VIII) palsies can occur following uncomplicated MVD for HFS. DFP is not an unusual complication after MVD, and prognosis is fairly good. Delayed sixth nerve palsy and delayed hearing loss are extremely rare complications after MVD for HFS. We should consider the possibility of development of these complications during the follow up for MVD.