RESUMO
OBJECTIVE@#To study on relationship between diverse handling time following onset and clinical prognosis of cases with Bell palsy.@*METHOD@#Two hundred and sixteen cases with Bell palsy, who were admitted in our department between Jun. 2006 and Dec. 2009, were collected and divided into 6 groups according to disease time: 1-2 months, > 2 - 3 months, > 3 - 4 months, > 4 - 5 months, > 5 - 6 months, and > 6 months. Cases in all groups received subtotal course decompression of facial nerve and other compound treatment, and the relationship between handling timing and clinical prognosis were compared.@*RESULT@#It was found that the difference of prognosis and handling timing was statistically significant, after comparison between all groups with Facial Grading Standards (H-B) as the standard to assess prognosis.@*CONCLUSION@#Clinical prognosis of cases with Bell palsy was related to alternative handling time, and subtotal course decompression of facial nerve was recommended to be performed as early as possible for those cases who were irresponsive after conservative treatment for one month.