Analysis of therapeutic effect of microvascular decompression surgery on idiopathic hemifacial spasm.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this paper is to study the therapeutic effect of microvascular decompression surgery on idiopathic hemifacial spasm with compression on different zones of facial nerve.

METHODS: The clinical data of 348 patients with idiopathic hemifacial spasm treated by microvascular decompression surgery were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into 5 groups according to compression on different zones of facial nerve by offending vessels. Root exit point was compressed in 18 patients (group A), transitional zone of brainstem was compressed in 42 patients (group B), attached segment of brainstem was compressed in 35 patients (group C), distal cisternal portion was compressed in 21 patients (group D), and 2 or more zones were compressed in 232 patients (group E). The therapeutic effect was observed, and outcome of excellent and partial good were regarded as effective.

RESULTS: Patients were followed up for 0.5 to 2 years. The effective rates were 94.4%, 95.2%, 97.1%, 95.2%, and 93.9% in group A, group B, group C, group D, and group E, respectively.No death occurred during operation,and there were no severe complications such as complete facial paralysis, intracranial hematoma, and hearing loss after operation.

CONCLUSION: Microvascular decompression surgery is the first choice for treatment hemifacial spasm. Proper detection of offending vessels and complete decompression may be the key factors to increase the cure rate.