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Reliability of the House and Brackmann grading system for facial palsy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

Robert A. Evans ,
Meredydd Le. Harries ,
David M. Baguley  and
David A. Moffat
Robert A. Evans
Affiliation:
Cambridge
Meredydd Le. Harries
Affiliation:
Cambridge
David M. Baguley
Affiliation:
Cambridge
David A. Moffat*
Affiliation:
Cambridge
*
David A. Moffat, F.R.C.S., Department of Otolaryngology, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge
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Abstract

The House and Brackmann grading system has been recommended as a universal standard for assessing the degree of facial palsy. This study examined the inter-observer reliability of this system. Three observers assigned a grade to each patient, examined independently, on the same day. Forty patients with a unilateral facial palsy of varying aetiology and severity were assessed. Of the 120 judgements, eight were in dispute, by a maximum of one grade, giving an inter-observer reliability of 93 per cent.

We conclude that the House and Brackmann grading system is a simple and robust method of assessing facial function.

Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 103 , Issue 11 , November 1989 , pp. 1045 - 1046
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1989

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