Microvascular decompression operation for hemifacial spasm under the monitoring of facial EMG

Objective To investigate the effective method of the microvascular decompression ( MVD) operation for hemifacial spasm under monitoring of facial evoked electromyography(EMG) . Methods Of 21 patients with hemifacial spasm, EMG was performed in MVD to find the compressing vessels. The enlargement and ansiform vessels were raised and fixed in the dural by wide Dacron grafts. The blood vessels in facial nerve root and operation field were douched by the saline containing papaverine. Rusults The facial spasm stopped immediately after the operation in 17 cases,stopped from 4 to 61 days in 4 cases. Conclusions EMG was performed in MVD to judge the compressing vessels accurately, and to determine the sufficient decompression and evaluate the prognosis. The enlargement and ansiform vessels were raised and fixed to avoid the recurrence effectively. The saline containing in papaverine can decrease the postoperative complication.