title: Microvascular decompression by the retrosigmoid approach for idiopathic hemifacial spasm: experience with 300 cases.
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).
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Air Force Guangzhou Hospital, Guangzhou City, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: K W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Z T
authors.initials: ZT
authors.lastname: Shun
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005154:Facial Nerve; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D012008:Recurrence; D016896:Treatment Outcome