Skurcz połowiczy twarzy
Rokowania, prognozy i postęp choroby

Skurcz połowiczy twarzy (HFS) jest przewlekłym schorzeniem neurologicznym, które rzadko ustępuje samoistnie i wymaga długotrwałego leczenia. Farmakoterapia, w tym leki zwiotczające mięśnie oraz stosowane w neuralgii nerwu trójdzielnego, wykazuje ograniczoną skuteczność. Mikronaczyniowa dekompresja (MVD) stanowi metodę z wyboru, osiągającą około 90% długoterminowy wskaźnik powodzenia. Pooperacyjne wzorce zdrowienia są zmienne, z gwałtowną remisją w ciągu pierwszych 6 miesięcy, nawrót około 8 miesiąca i drugą remisją około 16 miesiąca. Zaleca się minimum 12 miesięcy obserwacji przed oceną ostatecznego wyniku. Brak korelacji między natychmiastowym ustąpieniem objawów a długoterminowym efektem MVD podkreśla potrzebę długoterminowego monitorowania pacjentów.

Prognoza w skurczu połowiczy twarzy

Skurcz połowiczy twarzy (hemifacial spasm, HFS) jest przewlekłym schorzeniem neurologicznym, które rzadko ustępuje samoistnie. Pacjenci powinni być poinformowani, że leczenie prawdopodobnie będzie kontynuowane przez nieokreślony czas.1 Żaden lek nie okazał się skuteczny w zapobieganiu lub zatrzymywaniu skurczu połowiczy twarzy. Chociaż leki zwiotczające mięśnie oraz leki stosowane w neuralgii nerwu trójdzielnego są często przepisywane pacjentom z HFS, rzadko przynoszą one pożądane efekty.2

Mikronaczyniowa dekompresja i jej efektywność

Mikronaczyniowa dekompresja (Microvascular Decompression, MVD) jest najbardziej skuteczną i trwałą metodą leczenia pierwotnego skurczu połowiczy twarzy, z długoterminowym wskaźnikiem powodzenia wynoszącym około 90% w dużych wcześniejszych badaniach.3 Operacja uwalnia od skurczów na stałe zdecydowaną większość pacjentów, jednak podobnie jak w przypadku neuralgii trójdzielnej, problem może utrzymywać się lub nawracać u niektórych pacjentów pomimo leczenia.4

Zabieg MVD jest wysoce skuteczny dla większości pacjentów z HFS. Warto podkreślić, że nawroty są rzadkie i zwykle nie wymagają ponownej operacji, choć młodsi pacjenci mogą być narażeni na zwiększone ryzyko nawrotu. Zaobserwowano bardzo niewiele czynników ryzyka niepowodzenia leczenia, co wskazuje, że odpowiednio wyselekcjonowani pacjenci z HFS powinni mieć oferowaną mikronaczyniową dekompresję jako metodę leczenia pierwszego wyboru.5

Wzorce zdrowienia po mikronaczyniowej dekompresji

Chociaż wskaźniki sukcesu MVD przekraczają 90% w przypadku skurczu połowiczy twarzy, pooperacyjne wzorce i czas trwania zdrowienia są zmienne.6 Ogólny trend zdrowienia pokazuje gwałtowną remisję w ciągu pierwszych 6 miesięcy, następnie nawrót osiągający szczyt około 8 miesiąca, z drugą remisją około 16 miesiąca po zabiegu.7

Zaleca się minimum 1 rok przed oceną ostatecznego wyniku MVD w HFS.89 Co interesujące, nie zaobserwowano istotnej korelacji między natychmiastowym ustąpieniem HFS pooperacyjnie a długoterminowymi wynikami MVD, z dodatnią wartością predykcyjną wynoszącą 82% i ujemną wartością predykcyjną wynoszącą 32%.10

Czynniki rokownicze w skurczu połowiczy twarzy

Najważniejszym ustaleniem badań jest to, że lokalizacja rowkowania nerwu twarzowego stanowi czynnik prognostyczny dotyczący wyniku. Dystalny wcisk jest związany z opóźnionym zdrowieniem i gorszym wynikiem, podczas gdy proksymalne rowkowanie koreluje z wcześniejszym zdrowieniem i lepszymi wynikami.1112

W przeciwieństwie do wcięcia obwodowego, proksymalne wcięcie nerwu twarzowego w strefie wejścia korzenia nerwu (Root Entry Zone, REZ) jest związane z wcześniejszym zdrowieniem. Pooperacyjny niedowład twarzy i ucisk tętnicy dolnej przedniej móżdżku (AICA) są również związane z wcześniejszym zdrowieniem.1314

Wykazano istotną różnicę w czasie do ostatecznego wyzdrowienia w zależności od płci (p<0,001), rozwoju pooperacyjnego niedowładu twarzy (p=0,047) i lokalizacji rowkowania wywołanego przez naczynie (p=0,005).15

Nasilenie skurczu a rokowanie

Ciężki skurcz związany jest znacząco z dłuższym czasem trwania choroby, nadciśnieniem tętniczym, wieloma naczyniami uciskającymi, ciężkim wcięciem i większym opóźnionym niedowładem twarzy po MVD.16 Grupa z ciężkim skurczem była starsza i miała dłuższy czas trwania choroby w momencie MVD w porównaniu z grupą z łagodnym skurczem.17

Szczególnie interesującym odkryciem jest fakt, że wśród badanych powikłań chirurgicznych, opóźniony niedowład twarzy był związany z ciężkością skurczu, podczas gdy wskaźnik udanych wyników nie był z nią związany.18 Chociaż wyniki chirurgiczne nie różniły się między grupami z ciężkim i łagodnym skurczem, stopień wcięcia i liczne naczynia uciskające mogą być istotne, ponieważ wiele wcześniejszych badań wykazało, że te odkrycia chirurgiczne są związane z wynikiem operacji.19

Ciężkość skurczu nie przewiduje wyników chirurgicznych, ale może być wykorzystana jako marker patologicznego ucisku w MVD dla HFS i może być uznana za czynnik prognostyczny opóźnionego niedowładu twarzy po MVD.20

Penetrujące naczynia uciskające

W przypadkach skurczu połowiczy twarzy istnieją różne wzorce związane z uciskiem naczyniowym nerwu twarzowego, w tym bardzo rzadka forma obserwowana, gdy naczynie uciskające penetruje nerw twarzowy.21

Dekompresja penetrującego naczynia uciskającego nie zwiększa częstości niedowładu twarzy, a rokowanie w skurczu połowiczy twarzy jest dobre. W doświadczeniu badaczy, gdy penetrujące naczynie i pęczek nerwu twarzowego są delikatnie rozdzielone i zdekompresowane za pomocą małego kawałka filcu teflonowego, skurcz twarzy ustępuje, a prawdopodobieństwo pooperacyjnego niedowładu twarzy jest bardzo niskie.2223

W badaniu oceniającym rokowanie pooperacyjnego skurczu bezpośrednio po operacji (około 5 dni), 1 miesiąc po operacji, 1 rok po operacji i 2 lata po operacji, u siedmiu z ośmiu pacjentów (87,5%) nie było skurczu natychmiast po operacji.24

Podsumowanie zaleceń klinicznych

Zaleca się oczekiwanie co najmniej 12 miesięcy przed oceną wyniku MVD w HFS. Proksymalne wcięcie nerwu twarzowego w strefie wejścia korzenia nerwu (REZ), jak również pooperacyjny niedowład twarzy, są związane z wcześniejszym zdrowieniem. Z drugiej strony, dystalne wcięcie jest związane ze stosunkowo gorszym wynikiem i dłuższym czasem zdrowienia.2526

Chociaż MVD jest skuteczną opcją leczenia dla pacjentów z ciężkim HFS, jak również dla pacjentów z łagodnym skurczem, chirurdzy powinni dokładnie monitorować pacjentów z ciężkim HFS ze względu na większe ryzyko opóźnionego niedowładu twarzy.27

Należy pamiętać, że zmiany w odpowiedzi na rozprzestrzenianie boczne (Lateral Spread Response, LSR) podczas operacji nie są związane z wynikiem leczenia. Badania wykazały, że nie ma znaczącej zależności między LSR a wynikiem HFS w żadnym czasie, co sugeruje, że interpretacja tego śródoperacyjnego narzędzia powinna być ostrożna.28

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  1. 09.04.2026
  2. www.leksykon.com.pl

Materiały źródłowe

  • #1 Hemifacial Spasm: Background, Pathophysiology, Epidemiology
    https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1170722-overview
    Hemifacial spasm rarely remits spontaneously. Current treatments, fortunately, prove highly effective. Patients should be counseled, however, that treatments are likely to continue indefinitely.
  • #2 Hemifacial Spasm » Lillian S. Wells Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Florida » College of Medicine » University of Florida
    https://neurosurgery.ufl.edu/patient-care/diseases-conditions/hemifacial-spasm/
    The operation relieves the spasm permanently in the great majority of patients, however, as with trigeminal neuralgia, the problem may persist or recur in a few patients in spite of treatment. […] No drug has proven effective in preventing or stopping hemifacial spasm. […] Muscle relaxants and the drugs used for trigeminal neuralgia commonly are given to patients with hemifacial spasm, however they rarely help.
  • #3 Predicting long-term outcomes after microvascular decompression for hemifacial spasm according to lateral spread response and immediate postoperative outcomes: a cohort study in: Journal of Neurosurgery Volume 140 Issue 6 (2024) Journals
    https://thejns.org/view/journals/j-neurosurg/140/6/article-p1664.xml
    Microvascular decompression (MVD) has been well described as the most effective and durable treatment for primary HFS, with a long-term control rate of approximately 90% in large prior series. […] This study demonstrated that MVD for HFS is highly effective for most patients. Neither intraoperative LSR change nor immediate postoperative status was predictive of long-term outcomes. […] Immediate postoperative HFS status did not correlate with long-term outcome (p = 0.13). Changes in LSR were not associated with outcome. […] HFS recurrence was associated with younger age at the time of surgery but not with intraoperative LSR resolution. […] We did not observe a significant relationship between LSR and HFS outcome at any time, suggesting interpretation of this intraoperative tool should be guarded.
  • #4 Hemifacial Spasm » Lillian S. Wells Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Florida » College of Medicine » University of Florida
    https://neurosurgery.ufl.edu/patient-care/diseases-conditions/hemifacial-spasm/
    The operation relieves the spasm permanently in the great majority of patients, however, as with trigeminal neuralgia, the problem may persist or recur in a few patients in spite of treatment. […] No drug has proven effective in preventing or stopping hemifacial spasm. […] Muscle relaxants and the drugs used for trigeminal neuralgia commonly are given to patients with hemifacial spasm, however they rarely help.
  • #5 Predicting long-term outcomes after microvascular decompression for hemifacial spasm according to lateral spread response and immediate postoperative outcomes: a cohort study in: Journal of Neurosurgery Volume 140 Issue 6 (2024) Journals
    https://thejns.org/view/journals/j-neurosurg/140/6/article-p1664.xml
    Interestingly, there was no correlation between immediate resolution of HFS postoperatively and long-term outcomes of MVD, with a PPV of 82% and an NPV of 32%. […] Recurrence is rare and generally may not require reoperation, but younger patients may be at increased risk. Very few risk factors for treatment failure have been observed, indicating that appropriately selected patients with HFS should be offered MVD as the upfront treatment of choice.
  • #6
    https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00701-022-05133-w
    Microvascular decompression (MVD) success rates exceed 90% in hemifacial spasm (HFS). However, postoperative recovery patterns and durations are variable. […] Our main finding is that in contrast to peripheral indentation, proximal indentation of the facial nerve at REZ is associated with earlier recovery. Postoperative facial palsy and AICA compressions are associated with earlier recoveries. We recommend a minimum of 1 year before evaluating the final outcome of MVD for HFS. […] The main distinctive finding of our study is showing that the location of facial nerve grooving is a prognostic factor regarding the outcome. Distal indentation is associated with delayed recovery and poor outcome, while proximal grooving correlates with earlier recovery and better outcomes. […] We advise to wait at least 12 months before assessing the outcome of MVD in HFS. Proximal indentation of the facial nerve at the REZ as well as postoperative facial palsy is associated with earlier recovery. On the other hand, distal indentation is associated with relatively worse outcome and longer time for recovery.
  • #7 A multivariable prediction model for recovery patterns and time course of symptoms improvement in hemifacial spasm following microvascular decompression | springermedizin.de
    https://www.springermedizin.de/a-multivariable-prediction-model-for-recovery-patterns-and-time-/20088712
    Microvascular decompression (MVD) success rates exceed 90% in hemifacial spasm (HFS). However, postoperative recovery patterns and durations are variable. […] We recommend a minimum of 1 year before evaluating the final outcome of MVD for HFS. […] Our main finding is that in contrast to peripheral indentation, proximal indentation of the facial nerve at REZ is associated with earlier recovery. Postoperative facial palsy and AICA compressions are associated with earlier recoveries. […] The overall trend of recovery showed steep remission within the first 6 months, followed by relapse peaking around 8 months with a second remission~16 months. […] A significant difference in time to final recovery according to sex (p0.001), development of postoperative facial palsy (p=0.047) and the location of vessel induced grooving (p=0.005) was shown.
  • #8
    https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00701-022-05133-w
    Microvascular decompression (MVD) success rates exceed 90% in hemifacial spasm (HFS). However, postoperative recovery patterns and durations are variable. […] Our main finding is that in contrast to peripheral indentation, proximal indentation of the facial nerve at REZ is associated with earlier recovery. Postoperative facial palsy and AICA compressions are associated with earlier recoveries. We recommend a minimum of 1 year before evaluating the final outcome of MVD for HFS. […] The main distinctive finding of our study is showing that the location of facial nerve grooving is a prognostic factor regarding the outcome. Distal indentation is associated with delayed recovery and poor outcome, while proximal grooving correlates with earlier recovery and better outcomes. […] We advise to wait at least 12 months before assessing the outcome of MVD in HFS. Proximal indentation of the facial nerve at the REZ as well as postoperative facial palsy is associated with earlier recovery. On the other hand, distal indentation is associated with relatively worse outcome and longer time for recovery.
  • #9 A multivariable prediction model for recovery patterns and time course of symptoms improvement in hemifacial spasm following microvascular decompression | springermedizin.de
    https://www.springermedizin.de/a-multivariable-prediction-model-for-recovery-patterns-and-time-/20088712
    Microvascular decompression (MVD) success rates exceed 90% in hemifacial spasm (HFS). However, postoperative recovery patterns and durations are variable. […] We recommend a minimum of 1 year before evaluating the final outcome of MVD for HFS. […] Our main finding is that in contrast to peripheral indentation, proximal indentation of the facial nerve at REZ is associated with earlier recovery. Postoperative facial palsy and AICA compressions are associated with earlier recoveries. […] The overall trend of recovery showed steep remission within the first 6 months, followed by relapse peaking around 8 months with a second remission~16 months. […] A significant difference in time to final recovery according to sex (p0.001), development of postoperative facial palsy (p=0.047) and the location of vessel induced grooving (p=0.005) was shown.
  • #10 Predicting long-term outcomes after microvascular decompression for hemifacial spasm according to lateral spread response and immediate postoperative outcomes: a cohort study in: Journal of Neurosurgery Volume 140 Issue 6 (2024) Journals
    https://thejns.org/view/journals/j-neurosurg/140/6/article-p1664.xml
    Interestingly, there was no correlation between immediate resolution of HFS postoperatively and long-term outcomes of MVD, with a PPV of 82% and an NPV of 32%. […] Recurrence is rare and generally may not require reoperation, but younger patients may be at increased risk. Very few risk factors for treatment failure have been observed, indicating that appropriately selected patients with HFS should be offered MVD as the upfront treatment of choice.
  • #11
    https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00701-022-05133-w
    Microvascular decompression (MVD) success rates exceed 90% in hemifacial spasm (HFS). However, postoperative recovery patterns and durations are variable. […] Our main finding is that in contrast to peripheral indentation, proximal indentation of the facial nerve at REZ is associated with earlier recovery. Postoperative facial palsy and AICA compressions are associated with earlier recoveries. We recommend a minimum of 1 year before evaluating the final outcome of MVD for HFS. […] The main distinctive finding of our study is showing that the location of facial nerve grooving is a prognostic factor regarding the outcome. Distal indentation is associated with delayed recovery and poor outcome, while proximal grooving correlates with earlier recovery and better outcomes. […] We advise to wait at least 12 months before assessing the outcome of MVD in HFS. Proximal indentation of the facial nerve at the REZ as well as postoperative facial palsy is associated with earlier recovery. On the other hand, distal indentation is associated with relatively worse outcome and longer time for recovery.
  • #12 A multivariable prediction model for recovery patterns and time course of symptoms improvement in hemifacial spasm following microvascular decompression | springermedizin.de
    https://www.springermedizin.de/a-multivariable-prediction-model-for-recovery-patterns-and-time-/20088712
    The main distinctive finding of our study is showing that the location of facial nerve grooving is a prognostic factor regarding the outcome. Distal indentation is associated with delayed recovery and poor outcome, while proximal grooving correlates with earlier recovery and better outcomes. […] We advise to wait at least 12 months before assessing the outcome of MVD in HFS. Proximal indentation of the facial nerve at the REZ as well as postoperative facial palsy is associated with earlier recovery. On the other hand, distal indentation is associated with relatively worse outcome and longer time for recovery.
  • #13
    https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00701-022-05133-w
    Microvascular decompression (MVD) success rates exceed 90% in hemifacial spasm (HFS). However, postoperative recovery patterns and durations are variable. […] Our main finding is that in contrast to peripheral indentation, proximal indentation of the facial nerve at REZ is associated with earlier recovery. Postoperative facial palsy and AICA compressions are associated with earlier recoveries. We recommend a minimum of 1 year before evaluating the final outcome of MVD for HFS. […] The main distinctive finding of our study is showing that the location of facial nerve grooving is a prognostic factor regarding the outcome. Distal indentation is associated with delayed recovery and poor outcome, while proximal grooving correlates with earlier recovery and better outcomes. […] We advise to wait at least 12 months before assessing the outcome of MVD in HFS. Proximal indentation of the facial nerve at the REZ as well as postoperative facial palsy is associated with earlier recovery. On the other hand, distal indentation is associated with relatively worse outcome and longer time for recovery.
  • #14 A multivariable prediction model for recovery patterns and time course of symptoms improvement in hemifacial spasm following microvascular decompression | springermedizin.de
    https://www.springermedizin.de/a-multivariable-prediction-model-for-recovery-patterns-and-time-/20088712
    Microvascular decompression (MVD) success rates exceed 90% in hemifacial spasm (HFS). However, postoperative recovery patterns and durations are variable. […] We recommend a minimum of 1 year before evaluating the final outcome of MVD for HFS. […] Our main finding is that in contrast to peripheral indentation, proximal indentation of the facial nerve at REZ is associated with earlier recovery. Postoperative facial palsy and AICA compressions are associated with earlier recoveries. […] The overall trend of recovery showed steep remission within the first 6 months, followed by relapse peaking around 8 months with a second remission~16 months. […] A significant difference in time to final recovery according to sex (p0.001), development of postoperative facial palsy (p=0.047) and the location of vessel induced grooving (p=0.005) was shown.
  • #15 A multivariable prediction model for recovery patterns and time course of symptoms improvement in hemifacial spasm following microvascular decompression | springermedizin.de
    https://www.springermedizin.de/a-multivariable-prediction-model-for-recovery-patterns-and-time-/20088712
    Microvascular decompression (MVD) success rates exceed 90% in hemifacial spasm (HFS). However, postoperative recovery patterns and durations are variable. […] We recommend a minimum of 1 year before evaluating the final outcome of MVD for HFS. […] Our main finding is that in contrast to peripheral indentation, proximal indentation of the facial nerve at REZ is associated with earlier recovery. Postoperative facial palsy and AICA compressions are associated with earlier recoveries. […] The overall trend of recovery showed steep remission within the first 6 months, followed by relapse peaking around 8 months with a second remission~16 months. […] A significant difference in time to final recovery according to sex (p0.001), development of postoperative facial palsy (p=0.047) and the location of vessel induced grooving (p=0.005) was shown.
  • #16 Severe Hemifacial Spasm is a Predictor of Severe Indentation and Facial Palsy after Microdecompression Surgery
    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6031990/
    Severe-spasm was significantly associated with longer disease duration, HTN, multiple offending vessels, severe indentation, and more delayed facial palsy after MVD. […] Although the surgical outcomes did not differ between the severe- and mild-spasm groups in our study, the degree of indentation and multiple offenders could be important because many previous studies have found these surgical findings to be associated with surgical outcome. […] Another particularly interesting finding of the present study was that the severe-spasm group was independently associated with delayed facial palsy. […] In conclusion, although MVD is an effective treatment option for patients with severe HFS as well as for patients with mild-spasm, surgeons should carefully monitor patients with severe HFS due to the greater risk of delayed facial palsy.
  • #17 Severe Hemifacial Spasm is a Predictor of Severe Indentation and Facial Palsy after Microdecompression Surgery
    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6031990/
    Hemifacial spasm (HFS) is mostly caused by the compression of the facial nerve by cerebral vessels, but the significance of spasm severity remains unclear. […] The severe-spasm group was older and had a longer disease duration at the time of MVD compared to the mild-spasm group. […] Even though the surgical outcomes did not differ, the incidence of delayed facial palsy after MVD was higher in the severe-spasm group than in the mild-spasm group. […] Spasm severity does not predict surgical outcomes, but it can be used as a marker of pathologic compression in MVD for HFS, and be considered as a predictor of delayed facial palsy after MVD. […] A particularly interesting finding was that among the surgical complications examined, delayed facial palsy was related to spasm severity whereas the rate of successful outcomes was not.
  • #18 Severe Hemifacial Spasm is a Predictor of Severe Indentation and Facial Palsy after Microdecompression Surgery
    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6031990/
    Hemifacial spasm (HFS) is mostly caused by the compression of the facial nerve by cerebral vessels, but the significance of spasm severity remains unclear. […] The severe-spasm group was older and had a longer disease duration at the time of MVD compared to the mild-spasm group. […] Even though the surgical outcomes did not differ, the incidence of delayed facial palsy after MVD was higher in the severe-spasm group than in the mild-spasm group. […] Spasm severity does not predict surgical outcomes, but it can be used as a marker of pathologic compression in MVD for HFS, and be considered as a predictor of delayed facial palsy after MVD. […] A particularly interesting finding was that among the surgical complications examined, delayed facial palsy was related to spasm severity whereas the rate of successful outcomes was not.
  • #19 Severe Hemifacial Spasm is a Predictor of Severe Indentation and Facial Palsy after Microdecompression Surgery
    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6031990/
    Severe-spasm was significantly associated with longer disease duration, HTN, multiple offending vessels, severe indentation, and more delayed facial palsy after MVD. […] Although the surgical outcomes did not differ between the severe- and mild-spasm groups in our study, the degree of indentation and multiple offenders could be important because many previous studies have found these surgical findings to be associated with surgical outcome. […] Another particularly interesting finding of the present study was that the severe-spasm group was independently associated with delayed facial palsy. […] In conclusion, although MVD is an effective treatment option for patients with severe HFS as well as for patients with mild-spasm, surgeons should carefully monitor patients with severe HFS due to the greater risk of delayed facial palsy.
  • #20 Severe Hemifacial Spasm is a Predictor of Severe Indentation and Facial Palsy after Microdecompression Surgery
    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6031990/
    Hemifacial spasm (HFS) is mostly caused by the compression of the facial nerve by cerebral vessels, but the significance of spasm severity remains unclear. […] The severe-spasm group was older and had a longer disease duration at the time of MVD compared to the mild-spasm group. […] Even though the surgical outcomes did not differ, the incidence of delayed facial palsy after MVD was higher in the severe-spasm group than in the mild-spasm group. […] Spasm severity does not predict surgical outcomes, but it can be used as a marker of pathologic compression in MVD for HFS, and be considered as a predictor of delayed facial palsy after MVD. […] A particularly interesting finding was that among the surgical complications examined, delayed facial palsy was related to spasm severity whereas the rate of successful outcomes was not.
  • #21 Penetrating Offenders in Hemifacial Spasm: Surgical Tactics and Prognosis
    https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/13/10/2021
    In cases of hemifacial spasm (HFS), there are various patterns related to the vascular compression of the facial nerve, including a very rare form that is seen when the offending vessel penetrates the facial nerve. However, there have been few reports in the literature regarding the associated surgical techniques and postoperative prognosis. […] Seven out of the eight patients (87.5%) were spasm-free immediately after surgery, and one had only 10% residual spasm compared to their preoperative condition. […] Decompressing the penetrating offender did not increase the incidence of facial palsy, and the prognosis for hemifacial spasms was good. Therefore, when a penetrating pattern was encountered during MVD surgery, decompression between the penetrating offender and the facial nerve may offer good results.
  • #22 Penetrating Offenders in Hemifacial Spasm: Surgical Tactics and Prognosis
    https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/13/10/2021
    In cases of hemifacial spasm (HFS), there are various patterns related to the vascular compression of the facial nerve, including a very rare form that is seen when the offending vessel penetrates the facial nerve. However, there have been few reports in the literature regarding the associated surgical techniques and postoperative prognosis. […] Seven out of the eight patients (87.5%) were spasm-free immediately after surgery, and one had only 10% residual spasm compared to their preoperative condition. […] Decompressing the penetrating offender did not increase the incidence of facial palsy, and the prognosis for hemifacial spasms was good. Therefore, when a penetrating pattern was encountered during MVD surgery, decompression between the penetrating offender and the facial nerve may offer good results.
  • #23 Penetrating Offenders in Hemifacial Spasm: Surgical Tactics and Prognosis
    https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/13/10/2021
    The prognosis of postoperative spasm was evaluated immediately after surgery (around 5 days), 1 month after surgery, 1 year after surgery, and 2 years after surgery. In seven of the eight patients (87.5%), there was no spasm immediately after surgery. […] In our experience, when the penetrating offender and the facial nerve fascicle are delicately dissected and decompressed using a small piece of Teflon felt, the facial spasm is resolved, and the likelihood of postoperative facial palsy is very low.
  • #24 Penetrating Offenders in Hemifacial Spasm: Surgical Tactics and Prognosis
    https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/13/10/2021
    The prognosis of postoperative spasm was evaluated immediately after surgery (around 5 days), 1 month after surgery, 1 year after surgery, and 2 years after surgery. In seven of the eight patients (87.5%), there was no spasm immediately after surgery. […] In our experience, when the penetrating offender and the facial nerve fascicle are delicately dissected and decompressed using a small piece of Teflon felt, the facial spasm is resolved, and the likelihood of postoperative facial palsy is very low.
  • #25
    https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00701-022-05133-w
    Microvascular decompression (MVD) success rates exceed 90% in hemifacial spasm (HFS). However, postoperative recovery patterns and durations are variable. […] Our main finding is that in contrast to peripheral indentation, proximal indentation of the facial nerve at REZ is associated with earlier recovery. Postoperative facial palsy and AICA compressions are associated with earlier recoveries. We recommend a minimum of 1 year before evaluating the final outcome of MVD for HFS. […] The main distinctive finding of our study is showing that the location of facial nerve grooving is a prognostic factor regarding the outcome. Distal indentation is associated with delayed recovery and poor outcome, while proximal grooving correlates with earlier recovery and better outcomes. […] We advise to wait at least 12 months before assessing the outcome of MVD in HFS. Proximal indentation of the facial nerve at the REZ as well as postoperative facial palsy is associated with earlier recovery. On the other hand, distal indentation is associated with relatively worse outcome and longer time for recovery.
  • #26 A multivariable prediction model for recovery patterns and time course of symptoms improvement in hemifacial spasm following microvascular decompression | springermedizin.de
    https://www.springermedizin.de/a-multivariable-prediction-model-for-recovery-patterns-and-time-/20088712
    The main distinctive finding of our study is showing that the location of facial nerve grooving is a prognostic factor regarding the outcome. Distal indentation is associated with delayed recovery and poor outcome, while proximal grooving correlates with earlier recovery and better outcomes. […] We advise to wait at least 12 months before assessing the outcome of MVD in HFS. Proximal indentation of the facial nerve at the REZ as well as postoperative facial palsy is associated with earlier recovery. On the other hand, distal indentation is associated with relatively worse outcome and longer time for recovery.
  • #27 Severe Hemifacial Spasm is a Predictor of Severe Indentation and Facial Palsy after Microdecompression Surgery
    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6031990/
    Severe-spasm was significantly associated with longer disease duration, HTN, multiple offending vessels, severe indentation, and more delayed facial palsy after MVD. […] Although the surgical outcomes did not differ between the severe- and mild-spasm groups in our study, the degree of indentation and multiple offenders could be important because many previous studies have found these surgical findings to be associated with surgical outcome. […] Another particularly interesting finding of the present study was that the severe-spasm group was independently associated with delayed facial palsy. […] In conclusion, although MVD is an effective treatment option for patients with severe HFS as well as for patients with mild-spasm, surgeons should carefully monitor patients with severe HFS due to the greater risk of delayed facial palsy.
  • #28 Predicting long-term outcomes after microvascular decompression for hemifacial spasm according to lateral spread response and immediate postoperative outcomes: a cohort study in: Journal of Neurosurgery Volume 140 Issue 6 (2024) Journals
    https://thejns.org/view/journals/j-neurosurg/140/6/article-p1664.xml
    Microvascular decompression (MVD) has been well described as the most effective and durable treatment for primary HFS, with a long-term control rate of approximately 90% in large prior series. […] This study demonstrated that MVD for HFS is highly effective for most patients. Neither intraoperative LSR change nor immediate postoperative status was predictive of long-term outcomes. […] Immediate postoperative HFS status did not correlate with long-term outcome (p = 0.13). Changes in LSR were not associated with outcome. […] HFS recurrence was associated with younger age at the time of surgery but not with intraoperative LSR resolution. […] We did not observe a significant relationship between LSR and HFS outcome at any time, suggesting interpretation of this intraoperative tool should be guarded.