Outcome of Biomedical Glue Sling Technique in Microvascular Decompression for Hemifacial Spasm Involving the Vertebral Artery

Abstract

Background: Microvascular decompression (MVD) is the most useful treatment for hemifacial spasm (HFS). In cases of vertebral artery (VA) compression of the facial nerve, MVD is often difficult. In this study, we compared the outcome of the biomedical glue sling technique with the traditional technique in MVD for HFS involving the VA.

Methods: A retrospective study of patients with HFS treated by MVD was conducted between January 2013 and December 2015. A total of 327 patients with VA-associated HFS underwent their first MVD at our institution. Among them, the traditional technique was performed in 153 patients and the biomedical glue sling technique was performed in 174 patients. We measured effectiveness at 1 day, 7 days, 1 month, 3 months, and 1 year after MVD surgery.

Results: In the traditional technique group, the effective rates of MVD were 89.54%, 88.89%, 89.40%, 88.44%, and 86.71%, and the incidence rates of complication were 5.23%, 4.58%, 3.97%, 2.72%, and 0.70%. In the biomedical glue sling technique group, the effective rates of operation were 96.55%, 96.55%, 97.66%, 95.86%, and 95.76% (P < 0.05), and the incidence rates of complication were 8.62%, 8.62%, 7.60%, 4.73%, and 2.42% (P > 0.05).

Conclusion: When the HFS were associated with the VA, the effective rate of biomedical glue sling technique of MVD was higher than the traditional technique, and there was no statistical difference between the 2 groups about the incidence of complication.

Keywords: Hemifacial spasm; Sling; Vertebral artery.