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Shimansky V.N.

Burdenko Neurosurgical Center, Moscow, Russia

Sidneva L.A.

Burdenko Neurosurgical Center, Moscow, Russia

Tanyashin S.V.

Burdenko Neurosurgical Center, Moscow, Russia

Ogurtsova A.A.

Burdenko Neurosurgical Center, Moscow, Russia

Poshataev V.K.

Burdenko Neurosurgical Center, Moscow, Russia

Kolycheva M.V.

Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russia

Kugushev I.O.

Burdenko Neurosurgical Center, Moscow, Russia

Sadykov R.A.

Burdenko Neurosurgical Center, Moscow, Russia

Gorbulev V.A.

Burdenko Neurosurgical Center, Moscow, Russia

Surgical treatment of hemifacial spasm: a systematic review

Authors:

Shimansky V.N., Sidneva L.A., Tanyashin S.V., Ogurtsova A.A., Poshataev V.K., Kolycheva M.V., Kugushev I.O., Sadykov R.A., Gorbulev V.A.

More about the authors

Journal: Burdenko's Journal of Neurosurgery. 2026;90(2): 112‑119

DOI: 10.17116/neiro202690021112

Read: 327 times

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Table of contents

SURGICAL TREATMENT OF HEMIFACIAL SPASM: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
SURGICAL TREATMENT OF HEMIFACIAL SPASM: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

To cite this article:

Shimansky VN, Sidneva LA, Tanyashin SV, et al. Surgical treatment of hemifacial spasm: a systematic review. Burdenko's Journal of Neurosurgery. 2026;90(2):112‑119. (In Russ., In Engl.)
https://doi.org/10.17116/neiro202690021112

Подписка 2025 Журнал «Вопросы нейрохирургии» имени Н.Н. Бурденко (Burdenko's Journal of Neurosurgery)
МСФ на ЯМ
Использование инфографики авторами научных работ
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Abstract:

The annual incidence of hemifacial spasm is 8-15 cases per 100.000. This disease is not life-threatening, but it significantly impacts the quality of life. Primary treatment is vascular decompression of the facial nerve. Thus, improvement of appropriate technique is crucial for higher efficacy and safety.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the optimal algorithm for vascular decompression according to available international experience in surgical treatment of hemifacial spasm.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. To identify relevant publications, we screened the PubMed, Google Scholar, and eLibrary databases through October 2024 using the keywords «microvascular decompression» and «hemifacial spasm». Only full-text articles in Russian, English, or French were included in the study.

RESULTS

Among 364 manuscripts, 24 met the inclusion criteria. The majority of studies demonstrated available experience and effectiveness of vascular decompression without description of surgical approach.

CONCLUSION

Considering global experience, we proposed an optimal surgical algorithm, including initial dissection of bulbar nerves and facial nerve decompression, if possible, along its entire length.

Keywords:

hemifacial spasm
vascular decompression
neurovascular conflict
facial nerve

Authors:

Shimansky V.N.

Burdenko Neurosurgical Center, Moscow, Russia

Sidneva L.A.

Burdenko Neurosurgical Center, Moscow, Russia

Tanyashin S.V.

Burdenko Neurosurgical Center, Moscow, Russia

Ogurtsova A.A.

Burdenko Neurosurgical Center, Moscow, Russia

Poshataev V.K.

Burdenko Neurosurgical Center, Moscow, Russia

Kolycheva M.V.

Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russia

Kugushev I.O.

Burdenko Neurosurgical Center, Moscow, Russia

Sadykov R.A.

Burdenko Neurosurgical Center, Moscow, Russia

Gorbulev V.A.

Burdenko Neurosurgical Center, Moscow, Russia

Received:

08.12.2025

Accepted:

30.01.2026

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