Surgical treatment of hemifacial spasms: how to predict failure and complications through a series of 200 patients

Abstract

Primary hemifacial spasm (pHFS) is a benign but disabling movement disorder caused by a neurovascular conflict involving the facial nerve. Surgical treatment by microvascular decompression (MVD) is the most effective therapeutic. Predictors of surgical failure and surgical complications are still lacking. The aim of this study is to identify such predictors through the retrospective analysis of a series of 200 consecutive patients. All patients who underwent MVD for pHFS from January 1991 to December 2017 were included. All patients had at least two years follow-up. In addition to the demographic data, the outcome and the complications were collected. The primary outcome analysis showed that 7.5% of patients had a recurrence. Multiple and AICA related neurovascular conflicts were statistically associated to a higher recurrence rate after MVD (respectively p < 0.001 and p = 0.02). Permanent facial palsy occurred in 2.5% of patients, hearing loss in 9.0% (2.0% of complete unilateral impairment) and dizziness in 2.5%. The risk of each of these peripheral neurological impairments was statistically increased by a long duration between the first pHFS symptom and the MVD (p < 0.001). In case of recurrence, a second MDV was offered. Long term follow-up showed that all patients had a complete resolution of the HFS. Post-operative complication rate was not significantly increased after a second MVD. Multiple and AICA related neurovascular conflicts are associated to a higher risk of surgical failure. When a pHFS recurrence occurs, a second surgical procedure is associated with excellent outcome without significant increase of post-operative complications and should therefore be recommended.