[Retrosigmoid carding operation of facial nerve trunk]

Retrosigmoid carding operation of facial nerve trunk for treatment of intractable hemifacial spasm was reported in 22 patients. These cases were followed up for 1 to 4 years. The effective rate was 87.5%. Facial nerves compressed by an arterial loop was found in 54.5 per cent of all cases during the operations. The operation was safe and no death occurred. No facial palsy was seen more than 5 months after the operations. The operative indication was very wide. The operation was not confined to those having vascular compressions. Especially the operation can resolve the difficult problems when no compressing vessel can be found or vascular decompression is difficult to do.