Electromyography in the prognostication of recovery in patients with acute peripheral facial nerve palsy: A systematic review.

Objectives: Needle electromyography (EMG) may be used to characterise the severity of the injury in acute peripheral facial nerve palsy (FNP) to predict recovery and guide management, but its prognostic value and clinical utility remain controversial. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the role of EMG to prognosticate the recovery of facial motor function in patients with acute peripheral FNP.

Design: A comprehensive search strategy was applied in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.