Anchoring method for hemifacial spasm associated with vertebral artery: technical note

We describe an easy and useful method for treating hemifacial spasm related to the vertebral artery.

The technique entails the manufacture of a dural belt harvested from the cerebellar convexity dura and a dural bridge made at the petrous dura combined with the use of an aneurysm clip. The dural belt holds the vertebral artery and is anchored to the dural bridge by fixation with an aneurysm clip after the vertebral artery is transposed to an appropriate position.

The technique proved to be safe and effective in a series of six patients with hemifacial spasm who were followed up for a period of 2 months to more than 10 years after surgery. All patients were affected on the left side. Multiple offending arteries were present in three cases. Hemifacial spasm completely disappeared in all patients.

This method represents a feasible option for the treatment of hemifacial spasm caused by a tortuous, elongated, or enlarged vertebral artery.