Fully endoscopic microvascular decompression of the hemifacial spasm: our experience.

Purpose: Microvascular decompression (MVD) surgery has been accepted as a potentially curative method for hemifacial spasm (HFS). The primary cause of failure of MVD is incomplete decompression of the offending vessel due to inadequate visualization. This study is aimed at evaluating the benefit of endoscopic visualization and the value of fully endoscopic MVD.

Surgical effect and electrophysiological study of patients with hemifacial spasm treated with botulinum toxin or acupuncture before microvascular decompression.

Objective: We investigated patients with hemifacial spasm (HFS) who received a botulinum toxin (BT) injection or acupuncture before receiving microvascular decompression (MVD) to determine whether it affects the success rate of surgery. Abnormal Muscle Response (AMR) and Compound Motor Action Potential (CMAP) are commonly used as electrophysiological monitoring methods in surgery, and we will compare the differences between these patients in this regard.

Patients And Methods: A total of 539 patients with HFS underwent MVD treatment in our department between January 2014 and June 2017.

Depression, caregiver burden and social support among caregivers of retinoblastoma patients in China.

The aim of this study is to examine the burden of family caregivers of patients with retinoblastoma in China and the relationships between depression, caregiver burden and social support. A descriptive and correlational survey was conducted with 117 Chinese family caregivers of outpatient patients with retinoblastoma from the Department of Ophthalmology of a tertiary hospital in Shanghai, China. Family caregivers of outpatient patients with retinoblastoma were asked to respond to four questionnaires including sociodemographic questionnaire, Becker Depression Inventory, Caregiver Burden Inventory and Social Support Rating Scale.

Surgical skills of adhesions and transposition of trigeminal nerve for primary trigeminal neuralgia.

Objective: The aims of this study were to investigate disposal of adhesions and transposition of the trigeminal nerve during microvascular decompression and evaluate its surgical effect.

Methods: By collecting the clinical data of typical trigeminal neuralgia patients we treated from January 2013 to May 2013, we chose 120 patients with adhesions and transposition of trigeminal nerve, analyzed their preoperative imaging features and surgical procedures, and evaluated postoperative effect after 3-month follow-up.

Results: Among these 120 patients, 113 cases showed positive effect in magnetic resonance imaging (three-dimensional time-of-flight); the positive rate was 94.

Clinical characteristics and surgical techniques of trigeminal neuralgia caused simply by venous compression.

Objective: The objective of this study was to introduce the operation essentials for treatment of patients with vein compression so as to obtain a satisfactory decompression without sacrificing veins.

Methods: We chose 15 patients with trigeminal neuralgia caused by venous from June 15, 2010, through June 15, 2011, and performed microvascular decompression for each patient. By collecting clinical data, such as preoperative magnetic resonance imaging scans, key operative procedures, surgical outcomes, and complications, we explored the operation techniques for these patients and finally summarized our experiences and ideas.