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A prospective study was carried out to objectively quantify the most important predictor factors in idiopathic facial paralysis (Bell's palsy). Step-wise discriminant analysis was applied to data prospectively obtained from 570 patients with Bell's palsy treated in the ENT Department of La Paz Hospital between January 1983 and January 1986. In all, 37 variables were studied in each patient. With data obtained from these variables a linear discriminant function was obtained, with an overall accuracy of 95%. The rate of correct prediction is 95.8% for patients with an expected complete facial recovery, and 90.9% for the group of patients with an expected recovery of less than 100%. The discriminant function obtained is a well adaptable method for routine practice in order to objectively assess the prognosis of patients with Bell's palsy. Prognosis is one of the most challenging problems concerning idiopathic facial paralysis. The early determination of prognosis in Bell's palsy is the necessary basis for assessing the effect of different therapeutic approaches. A number of methods and parameters are used in the prognostic evaluation of Bell's palsy. To know the exact weight of each one of these factors in the determination of the course of the disease we have performed an statistical study by means of discriminant analysis (DA).