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.