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.