Development of synkinesis as a sequela of peripheral facial paralysis treated with gabapentin

Objective: Facial synkinesis is one of the most complications of facial paralysis. Synkinetic movements are commonly occurs with the abnormal syncronization of the muscles that are innervated from the facial nerve. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of gabapentin usage on the development of synkinesis after peripheral facial paralysis (PFP). Material and Method: In our study, 76 patients who had acute peripheral facial paralysis between 2008-2010 in the Emergency Neurology Polyclinic and the Neurology Polyclinic of the Neurology Department of Þiþli Etfal Research and Education Hospital were included. Forty-two patients were received standard corticosteroid therapy and 800 mg per day gabapentin treatment because of periauricular pain. The control group of 34 patients were received the standard corticosteroid therapy of peripheral facial paralysis. All the patients were graded with the House-Brackmann scale. The groups were followed for the development of synkinesis. Results: Mean±SD age of the patients who were received gabapenthin treatment was 43,1±14,9 and 16 of 42 were female. Mean±SD age of the control group patients was 45,9±16,5 and 25 of 34 were female. Synkinesis was developed in 7 patients (%16,7) who were received gabapenthin treatment and 13 patients (%38,2) in the control group. The development of clinical synkinesis was statistically different between two groups (p