Recovery from Bell's palsy after treatment using uncultured umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells: A case report

BACKGROUND Bell’s palsy is an idiopathic facial palsy with an unknown cause, and 75% of patients heal spontaneously. However, the other 25% of patients continue experiencing mild or severe disabilities, resulting in a reduced quality of life. Currently, various treatment methods have been developed to treat this disease. However, there is controversy regarding their effectiveness, and new alternative treatments are needed.CASE SUMMARY The patient suffered from left-sided facial paralysis due to Bell’s palsy for 7 years. The patient received an uncultured umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cell transplant eight times for treatment. After follow-up for 32 mo, the paralysis was cured, and there was no recurrence.CONCLUSION Uncultured umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cell transplantation may be a potential treatment for patients with Bell’s palsy who do not spontaneously recover.