Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Comparative Study
. 2024 Nov 26;97(1):16-27.
doi: 10.1227/neu.0000000000003290.

Evaluation of 2 Surgical Techniques-Transposition Versus Interposition Microvascular Decompression for Hemifacial Spasm: A Systematic Review of 19 437 Patients

Margaret Tugend  1 , Colby T Joncas, Veronica Lee, Grace B Simmons, Raymond F Sekula Jr
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Evaluation of 2 Surgical Techniques-Transposition Versus Interposition Microvascular Decompression for Hemifacial Spasm: A Systematic Review of 19 437 Patients

Margaret Tugend et al. Neurosurgery. .

Abstract

Background and objectives: Hemifacial spasm (HFS) is a rare movement disorder characterized by brisk, irregular, involuntary, and unilateral contraction of the facial musculature. This systematic review aims to synthesize the existing literature and compare the use of 2 microvascular decompression (MVD) techniques-transposition and interposition-used in the treatment of HFS.

Methods: A retrospective systematic review of randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, case-control studies, and case series examining transposition and/or interposition during MVD for HFS was performed using PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases. Data extracted included study objective and size, surgical method, demographic information, operative technique notes, number and location of offending vessels, complications, follow-up duration, rate of spasm freedom at last follow-up, and additional outcomes. Cohorts of at least 20 patients with HFS treated with MVD reported in studies explicitly mentioning surgical techniques were included.

Results: PubMed, Embase, and Scopus database searches yielded 1300 records, of which 528 were duplicates. Sixty-two studies reporting 68 cohorts met inclusion criteria, including 5 on transposition, 51 on interposition, and 6 using both techniques. Interposition was used in 18 627 cases, and transposition was used in 810 cases. Spasm freedom at final follow-up was similar between transposition and interposition (90.4% vs 89.6%). Complication rates were similar between techniques, with the largest difference being higher rates of temporary facial nerve weakness/palsy among the transposition series (9.52%) than the interposition series (6.03%).

Conclusion: Both transposition and interposition are safe and effective techniques for MVD in patients with HFS. Available literature to date does not provide conclusive evidence that 1 method is superior to the other in safety or efficacy although there are specific instances that favor the use of interposition. A prospective trial would be required to delineate the true differences between these techniques.

Keywords: Hemifacial spasm; Interposition; Microvascular decompression; Sling; Systematic review; Technique; Transposition.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Schultze F. Linksseitiger facialiskrampf in folge eines aneurysma der arteria vertebralis sinistra. Arch Pathol Anat. 1875;65(3):385-391.
    1. Nurminen P, Marjamaa J, Niemelä M, Sairanen T. Incidence and prevalence of hemifacial spasm in Finland’s largest hospital district. J Neurol Sci. 2023;446(Mar 15):120587.
    1. Jannetta PJ. The cause of hemifacial spasm: definitive microsurgical treatment at the brainstem in 31 patients. Trans Sect Otolaryngol Am Acad Ophthalmol Otolaryngol. 1975;80(3 Pt 1):319-322.
    1. Fukushima T. [Posterior cranial fossa neurovascular decompression (Jannetta method) for trigeminal neuralgia and facial spasm]. No Shinkei Geka. 1982;10(12):1257-1261.
    1. Rawlinson JN, Coakham HB. The treatment of hemifacial spasm by sling retraction. Br J Neurosurg. 1988;2(2):173-178.

MeSH terms

LinkOut - more resources