ABSTRACT
Three hundred patients with idiopathic hemifacial spasm who underwent microvascular decompression through the retrosigmoid approach are reported. Vascular compression was found in every patient on operation. The results of 1 to 6 years of follow-up show that 276 patients are free of the symptom, 4 patients have markedly diminished spasms and a decreased episode rate, 10 patients have no significant relief from the operation, and 9 have had recurrences of the symptom since the operation. The cure rate in this group is 92%. Complications were sensorineural hearing loss in 13 patients (7 temporary cases, 6 permanent), tinnitus in 7 (4 temporary cases, 3 permanent), temporary postoperative facial weakness in 16, and postoperative meningitis in 10 (9 cases were controlled with antibiotics and 1 patient died).
Subject(s)
Facial Nerve , Facial Paralysis/etiology , Microsurgery/methods , Nerve Compression Syndromes/surgery , Adult , Aged , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Male , Microsurgery/adverse effects , Middle Aged , Nerve Compression Syndromes/complications , Recurrence , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Trigeminal neuralgia is often seen in elderly persons. Two hundred patients with trigeminal neuralgia were submitted to microvascular decompression by a retrosigmoid approach. The surgical procedure is described. Vascular compression of the nerves was noticed in all these patients at operation. One hundred ninety-seven had relief of symptoms postoperatively, for a 98.5% cure rate. In addition, we suggest that another important cause is arteriosclerosis.
