Short - and long -term efficacies of microvascular decompression on elderly patients with constitutional hemifacial spasm / 中华神经医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the efficacy of microvascular decompression on elderly patients with constitutional hemifacial spasm (HFS) in short- and long-terms. Methods Eighty-six elderly patients with HFS and 430 non-elderly patients with HFS, admitted to our hospital from June 2000 to June 2005, were selected in our study; their clinical data were retrospectively analyzed and their shortand long-term efficacies were compared. Results The total effective rate was not significantly different between elderly patients (96.6%, 81/86) and non-elderly group (97.9%, 421/430, P>0.05). Early complications appeared in 12.8% of the elderly patients (11/86) and 9.1% of the non-elderly group (39/430); no obvious difference was noted between the 2 groups (P>0.05). The recurrence rate in elderly group was 2.3% (2/86) and non-elderly group was 1.1% (5/430); no obvious difference was noted between the 2 groups (P>0.05). Rate of long-term complications in elderly group was 12.8% (11/86), and that of non-elderly group was 9.1% (39/430); no obvious difference was noted between the 2 groups (P>0.05). Conclusion The short- and long-term efficacies of microvascular decompression on HFS were equivalent between elderly and non-elderly patients; although several negative factors might cause surgical difficulty and increased risk in the elderly patients, as long as appropriate measures and skills are taken, the efficacy and safety of the surgery can be ensured.