Microvascular decompression for hemifacial spasm in patients >65 years of age: An analysis of outcomes and complications. Issue 5 (2nd September 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sekula, Raymond F.; Frederickson, Andrew M.; Arnone, Gregory D.; Quigley, Matthew R.; Hallett, Mark
• Is Part Of: Muscle & nerve. Volume 48:Issue 5(2013:Nov.)
• Page Start: 770
• Page End: 776
• Publication Date: 2013-09-02
• Subjects: Neuromuscular diseases -- Periodicals; Muscles -- Periodicals; Nerves -- Periodicals; 616.74
• DOI: 10.1002/mus.23800
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0148-639X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>ABSTRACT</title> <sec id="mus23800-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Introduction</title> <p>Few data are available to quantify the risks and benefits of microvascular decompression (MVD) in elderly patients with hemifacial spasm.</p> </sec> <sec id="mus23800-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Twenty‐seven patients &gt;65 years of age and 104 younger patients who underwent MVD for hemifacial spasm (HFS) over a 3‐year period were analyzed retrospectively and compared.</p> </sec> <sec id="mus23800-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Twenty‐six (96.3%) elderly patients and 93 of 104 (89.4%) young patients reported a spasm‐free status at a mean follow‐up of 26.5 months after MVD. No significant difference in spasm‐free status was noted. Cranial nerve complications and other major complications were compared, with no significant differences observed.</p> </sec> <sec id="mus23800-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>Although this study does not offer definitive inclusion or exclusion criteria or clearly establish the safety of MVD for HFS in the elderly, our experience suggests that many elderly patients with HFS can undergo MVD safely, with outcomes and risk profiles similar to those of younger patients. <italic>Muscle Nerve</italic> 48:770–776, 2013</p> </sec> </abstract>