Microvascular Decompression for Hemifacial Spasm: Experience of 53 Cases

Aim: To investigate the relationship between pre-operational etiological diagnosis of medically intractable hemifacial spasm(HFS) and the factors that relate to the impacts and post-operative complications of microvascular decompression(MVD). Methods: 53 cases of HFS patients treated with MVD operation were studied retrospectively. Pro-operative magnetic imaging tomographic angiography (MRTA) examination was made for all cases. Results: MRTA revealed the offending vessels with a positive rate of 84 %, 52 cases can identify the offending vessel in 98.1 %. The follow-up was 2～46 months (mean 20 months ). 81% cases were cured, 17 % relieved, the total effective rate was 96%, and the inefficacy rate was 1.9%. One case developed contralateral supra-tentorial chronic subdural effusion 4 weeks after operation. Conclusion: MVD operation is the most available treatment to HFS. Skilled microsurgical technique along with correct recognition mobilization of offending vessels are a need to assure MVD a high efficacious and decrease recurrence rate for HFS patients.