Penetrating Offenders in Hemifacial Spasm: Surgical Tactics and Prognosis

Abstract

(1) Background: 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. (2) Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of 4755 patients who underwent microvascular decompression (MVD) surgery from April 1997 to June 2023. In total, 8 out of the 4755 patients (0.2%) exhibited a penetrating offending vessel; the medical and surgical records of these 8 patients were then analyzed. Surgery was then attempted to maximally decompress the penetrating offender. (3) Results: 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. That patient was also spasm-free one year later. Postoperative facial palsy occurred in one patient (12.5%) who was assessed as grade II in the House–Brackmann grading system. In another patient, the resection of a small facial nerve bundle did not result in facial palsy. There were no cases of hearing loss or other complications. (4) Conclusions: 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.