The Considering Factors for Adequate Visualization of Facial Root Exit Zone in Microvascular Decompression for Hemifacial Spasm

Kim, John Ho; Choi, Seok Keun; Choi, Hyuk Jai; Kim, Min Khi; Rhee, Bong Arm; Lim, Young Jin

Original article

Journal of the Korean Society of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery 2010;6(1):1-5.
Published online June 30, 2010.

The Considering Factors for Adequate Visualization of Facial Root Exit Zone in Microvascular Decompression for Hemifacial Spasm

John Ho Kim, Seok Keun Choi, Hyuk Jai Choi, Min Khi Kim, Bong Arm Rhee, Young Jin Lim

Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea

Abstract

Objective
To adequately visualize the facial nerve root exit zone (REZ) in microvascular decompression (MVD) surgery, the authors demonstrated the considering factors to obtain the good operative corridor in retromastoid suboccipital approach for the hemifacial spasm (HFS).
Methods
Three hundreds and six consecutive patients diagnosed with HFS and treated with MVD were enrolled in this study. We evaluate the anatomical factors to contributing on the surgical outcome and related treatment result. All patients underwent suboccipital approach under the lateral position.
Results
The symptom was relieved in 290 cases (94.8%) immediately after the operation. There were no recurrences of the symptom among them during the median follow-up period of 21 months (range±11 months). But there were hearing disturbance in 2 cases and transient facial palsy in 3 cases.
Conclusions
The symptom was relieved in 290 cases (94.8%) immediately after the operation. There were no recurrences of the symptom among them during the median follow-up period of 21 months (range±11 months). But there were hearing disturbance in 2 cases and transient facial palsy in 3 cases. KEY WORDS: Microvascular decompression · Hemifacial spasm · Root exit zone · Retromastoid suboccipital approach

Key Words: Microvascular decompression, Hemifacial spasm, Root exit zone, Retromastoid suboccipital approach.