Bell's palsy, childbirth and epidural analgesia

We report a case of Bell's palsy following delivery in a parturient who had successful epidural analgesia. Most reported cases have occurred after spi nal anaesthesia or inadvertent dural puncture complicating epidural analges ia. Review of the literature revealed few cases of Bell's palsy associated with uncomplicated epidural analgesia. In this report we discuss the contro versy surrounding the aetiology and possible mechanism of onset of this unp leasant complication. (C) 2001 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.