Gender affects facial paralysis outcomes

Gender affects brain function recovery in cases of facial paralysis, a new study claims.

Research has shown that following treatment for facial paralysis the brain of a woman adapts itself better, recovers the spontaneous smile and has a greater time period available for repairing the paralysis.

Dr Bernardo Hontanilla, director of the Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery at the University of Navarra Hospital, stated: "The results obtained highlight the relevance that patient gender has when planning strategy for reconstruction in facial paralysis."

In order to offer the most appropriate treatment, understanding how the brain responds is vital.

Surgical treatment is thought to ease the discomfort felt by many patients with facial paralysis who are unable to close the eye.

Patients who are unable to close their eyes through facial paralysis often develop keratitis, corneal ulceration and permanent vision loss.

Eyelid weight placement, lower eyelid suspension and brow pstosis correction have been proved to improve the experience of patients with facial paralysis.

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