Journal Reviews
Long-term curative effects of microvascular decompression for hemifacial spasm
This article describes results of a multicentre prospective trial performed to evaluate long- and short-term outcomes and complications of patients who underwent microvascular decompression (MVD) for hemifacial spasm (HFS). The surgeries were performed by surgeons with more than 15 years...
Hemilaryngopharyngeal Spasm (HeLPS)
The authors report an unusual case of hemilaryngopharyngeal spasm (HeLPS) with glossopharyngeal neuralgia with otalgia in a middle-aged female patient. Her symptoms included left-sided sharp, electric sensation like pain radiating from her left ear to the left side of her...
Preoperative prediction of pain outcomes in patients with trigeminal neuralgia
The authors of this retrospective study have developed a preoperative trigeminal neuralgia (TN) grading system for the preoperative prediction of long-term pain relief after microvascular decompression (MVD). Patients who had become refractory to or developed toxicity to carbamazepine or oxycarbamazepine...
Risks of tracheostomy in head and neck cancer
Tracheostomy is associated with several complications, with rates quoted as high as 8-45%, including: bleeding; displacement; obstruction; surgical emphysema; pneumothorax; fistulae and failure to decannulate. There are now many studies that confirm the increased length of stay and complications of...
Scoring system to predict hearing impairment following hemifacial spasm surgical treatment
The authors analysed brain stem auditory evoked potentials prospectively in 100 patients undergoing endoscopic microvascular decompression for management of hemifacial spasm over a period of two years. They then developed a scoring system based on electrophysiological events to predict the...
Surgical approach to trigeminal neuralgia
This article provides a summary of the operative techniques available for treating patients with trigeminal neuralgia who have medication resistant pain or medication intolerance. Microvascular decompression is performed via suboccipital craniotomy to find and resolve the underlying nerve compression. The...
Tissue engineered flaps
This article provides a thorough summary of the current techniques available in head and neck reconstruction. It details the challenge of restoration of form and function posed by the shape of the craniofacial skeleton and soft tissue. The introduction on...
Reconstruction with scapular tip following hemimaxillectomy and rehabilitation with dental implants
Post ablative defects in the maxilla can be extremely complex, involve all three dimensions and may result in significant morbidity. Rehabilitation may be difficult with either an obturator or surgical reconstruction with a free fibula, Iliac crest or scapula. This...
Coupler microvascular anastomoses: how good?
This paper is written by a group of reconstructive surgeons and a school of computing. The study used computational fluid dynamics to model blood flow through idealised sutured and coupled vessels, to investigate if differing anastomotic techniques affect intravascular blood...
