Macrovascular Decompression for Hemifacial Spasm: Three-Dimensional Operative Video. 2022

Timothy G White, and Amir R Dehdashti
Department of Neurosurgery, Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine, Manhasset, New York, USA.

In 1%-2% of patients with symptomatic vascular compression of a cranial nerve, the compression may be due to a tortuous dolichoectatic vertebrobasilar artery. The most common technique used for microvascular decompression relies on the placement of a polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon) pledget or other buffer between the root of the nerve and the offending vessel loop, thereby decompressing the cranial nerve. In cases of macrovascular compression by a large tortuous artery, these buffering techniques fail to produce lasting results with risk for cranial nerve compression-related deficit, specifically the facial nerve. In the Video 1, we demonstrate the use of a GORE-TEX (W.L. Gore & Associates Inc., Flagstaff, Arizona, USA) sling to transpose a dolichoectatic vertebral artery away from the facial nerve root entry. The patient consented to the procedure and to the publication of this video and their images. The technique demonstrated has been shown by other authors as well. Using GORE-TEX, we created a sling by cutting a slit into the GORE-TEX and looping it around the artery and then back through itself. We then used multiple aneurysm clips to attach the sling to a dural cuff made from the dura covering the petrous bone. While this technique completely resolved the compression from the vertebrobasilar artery, there was still a remaining vein contacting the nerve anterior to the artery. A Teflon pledget was placed between the vein and the root entry zone, as it was a pontine vein and we planned to preserve it. The patient recovered well without complication and was completely free from hemifacial spasm at >2 years long-term follow-up.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D011138 Polytetrafluoroethylene Homopolymer of tetrafluoroethylene. Nonflammable, tough, inert plastic tubing or sheeting; used to line vessels, insulate, protect or lubricate apparatus; also as filter, coating for surgical implants or as prosthetic material. Synonyms: Fluoroflex; Fluoroplast; Ftoroplast; Halon; Polyfene; PTFE; Tetron. FEP,Fluon,Politef,Polytef,TFE,Teflon,Expanded PTFE,Fluoroplast,GORE-TEX,Goretex,PTFE,Tarflen,GORE TEX,PTFE, Expanded
D003664 Decompression Decompression external to the body, most often the slow lessening of external pressure on the whole body (especially in caisson workers, deep sea divers, and persons who ascend to great heights) to prevent DECOMPRESSION SICKNESS. It includes also sudden accidental decompression, but not surgical (local) decompression or decompression applied through body openings.
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D014711 Vertebral Artery The first branch of the SUBCLAVIAN ARTERY with distribution to muscles of the NECK; VERTEBRAE; SPINAL CORD; CEREBELLUM; and interior of the CEREBRUM. Vertebral Arteries,Arteries, Vertebral,Artery, Vertebral
D061145 Microvascular Decompression Surgery Surgery performed to relieve pressure from MICROVESSELS that are located around nerves and are causing NERVE COMPRESSION SYNDROMES. Microvascular Decompression,Decompression Surgeries, Microvascular,Decompression Surgery, Microvascular,Decompression, Microvascular,Decompressions, Microvascular,Microvascular Decompression Surgeries,Microvascular Decompressions,Surgeries, Microvascular Decompression,Surgery, Microvascular Decompression
D019569 Hemifacial Spasm Recurrent clonic contraction of facial muscles, restricted to one side. It may occur as a manifestation of compressive lesions involving the seventh cranial nerve (FACIAL NERVE DISEASES), during recovery from BELL PALSY, or in association with other disorders. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p1378) Facial Spasm, Unilateral,Hemifacial Myokymia,Spasm, Hemifacial,Facial Spasms, Unilateral,Hemifacial Spasms,Myokymia, Hemifacial,Spasm, Unilateral Facial,Spasms, Hemifacial,Spasms, Unilateral Facial,Unilateral Facial Spasm,Unilateral Facial Spasms

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