Microvascular Decompression for Elderly Patients with Hemifacial Spasm

, Se Hun Chang; , Seung Hwan Lee; , Hee Sup Shin; , Jun Seok Koh

Clinical Article

Journal of Korean Society of Geriatric Neurosurgery 2015;11(2):127-131.
Published online September 30, 2015.

Microvascular Decompression for Elderly Patients with Hemifacial Spasm

Se Hun Chang , Seung Hwan Lee , Hee Sup Shin , Jun Seok Koh

Department of Neurosurgery, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

노인 환자에게서의 편측 안면경련에 대한 미세 혈관 감압술

장세훈·이승환·신희섭·고준석

경희대학교 의과대학 강동경희대학교병원 신경외과학교실

Abstract

Objective
Hemifacial spasm(HFS) is a disease by involuntary unilateral contractions of the muscles innervated by the ipsilateral facial nerve. Up to date, Microvascular decompression (MVD) has been proven to be the treatment of choice for the HFS. As the elderly population increases, elderly patients with HFS has also increased, thus we compared surgical outcome in patients aged older than 65 years of age with the outcomes in a matched group of younger patients who underwent microvascular decompression.
Methods
This was a retrospective study of 110 patients with HFS operated MVD during last 7 years in our institute. Clinical data, surgical outcomes, and postoperative complications were collected and analyzed.
Results
Among 110 patients, 86 patients were under 65 years, 24 patients were over 65 years old. Twenty-three (95.8%) of 24 elderly patients and 81 of 86 (94.1%) young patients showed a satisfactory surgical outcomes after MVD for the HFS. No significant difference in outcomes was noted between two groups. Postoperative complications were compared and no statistical significant differences existed except for hearing losses which were occurred in 2 elderly patients. There were no mortalities in both groups.
Conclusion
MVD is a safe and effective treatment method even in the elderly. Although more careful perioperative management is required, the majority of elderly patients with HFS can safely undergo MVD.

Key Words: ElderlyㆍMicrovascular decompressionㆍHemifacial spasm