Hemihypoglossal-facial Nerve Anastomosis Research Articles

Hemihypoglossal-facial nerve anastomosis: results and electromyographic characterization.

The facial nerve surgery belongs to the basic procedures during lateral skull base approaches. Its damage has serious medical and psychological consequences, and therefore mastery of reconstruction and correction techniques should belong to the repertoire of skull base surgeons. The goal of this study was to demonstrate usefulness of electromyographic follow-up in facial nerve reconstruction. A total of 16 patients underwent hemihypoglossal-facial anastomosis between 2005 and 2017. Most of the primary lesions came from vestibular schwannoma surgery. All patients were examined with electromyography and scored according to the House-Brackmann and IOWA grading scales. Function of the tongue has been evaluated. Ten patients achieved definitive House-Brackmann grade 3 score (62.5%). We did not observe any association with the patient's age, previous irradiation and the etiology of the damage. Electromyography showed pathological spontaneous activity after the first surgery. Incipient regeneration potentials were detected in 4-17months (average 7.6) and reached maximum in 6.5-18months (average 16). Electromyographic assessment of the effect of tongue movement showed better mimic voluntary activity by swallowing or by moving the tongue up. There was no relationship between the start of activity and the interval to achieving maximal activity. Hemihypoglossal-facial nerve anastomosis is a safe procedure and it is an optimal solution for cases lacking a proximal stump or in the case of reconstruction in the second stage. Electromyography can predict initial reinnervation activity after reconstructive procedures. During subsequent follow-up it can help to discover insufficiently recovering patients, however clinical characteristics are crucial.

Hemihypoglossal−Facial Nerve Anastomosis for Facial Nerve Reanimation: Case Series and Technical Note

Hypoglossal nerve injury may result in swallowing and speech problems. To reduce this morbidity and allow the performance of the hypoglossal-facial nerve anastomosis bilaterally, a technique that includes partial splitting of the hypoglossal nerve and skeletonization of the facial nerve within the mastoid process has been applied. The aim of this study is to present clinical results regarding the facial and hypoglossal nerves after the procedure. Prospectively collected data from56 consecutive patients who underwent hemihypoglossal-facial nerve anastomosis (HHFA) were analyzed. The outcome was correlated with epidemiologic data, initial disease, the presence of neurofibromatosis type 2, previous radiosurgery, and the time between nerve injury and reconstructive surgery. Forty-eight (84%) patients achieved satisfactory outcomes; 8 of them (14%) showed some improvement, and in 1 patient (2%) there was no improvement during long-term observation. The result at follow-up was not related to the time interval between the 2 procedures. However, recovery times for facial tonicity were statistically significantly longer if the procedure was performed after 12 months (P= 0.044). There was no statistically significant association between patient age (P= 0.96) or sex (P= 0.13) and facial nerve function. HHFA resulted in no or minimal tongue atrophy without deviation in 53 patients (93%), and the remainder had mild hemiatrophy with tongue deviation <30 degrees. HHFA is an effective technique for facial nerve reanimation with acceptable morbidity related to tongue function. Patients with a longer duration of facial palsy still have a good chance for restoration of facial movement but require longer recovery periods.

Hemihypoglossal-Facial Nerve Anastomosis for Facial Nerve Reanimation: Factors that may Influence the Outcome

The purpose of this study was to identify the factors that may influence the results of hemihypoglossal-facial nerve anastomosis (HHFA). The first 28 consecutive patients who underwent HHFA were analyzed. The facial palsy was related to surgically treated vestibular schwannoma (24), facial nerve schwannoma (1), petroclival meningioma (1), brain stem cavernoma (1) and in one case to purely radiosurgically treated vestibular schwannoma (1). The group included 4 patients with Neurofibromatosis type 2 and also four patients after failed radiosurgery. Duration of facial palsy before the procedure ranged from 1 to 21 months (mean 6.5 months) and was longer than 1 year in 6 patients. The procedure was performed in own modification which is a compilation of the technique described by Darrouzet with the longitudinal splitting technique. The clinical follow-up period was at least 1 year. In 26 out of 28 (93%) patients satisfactory outcome (III° House–Brackmann scale) of CN VII function was achieved. In two remaining patients (both with Neurofibromatosis type 2) facial function improved from paresis to IV° according to House – Brackmann Scale. Patient age, sex, initially treated pathology, previous radiosurgical treatment and time from CNVII injury to anastomosis had no influence on final results. HHFA is an effective modality for treatment of facial palsy with acceptable tongue denervation. Suboptimal results were observed only in NF2 group what might be related to difficulties in rehabilitation process due to common hearing problems or due to other cranial nerve deficits.

Results of Hemihypoglossal-Facial Nerve Anastomosis in the Treatment of Facial Nerve Paralysis after Failed Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Vestibular Schwannoma

Abstract Vestibular schwannoma treatment with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) carries a risk of facial nerve (CNVII) palsy that is lower than that with microneurosurgery. The results of hemihypoglossal-facial nerve anastomosis (HHFA) have not been described yet in CNVII palsy after failed stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). Here we report a case series of the first four consecutive patients (three women; average age 58.5, age range: 46-74), who underwent HHFA due to failed SRS. All patients were admitted because of progressive peripheral facial nerve palsy. Three patients received retrosigmoid craniotomy due to tumor enlargement that resulted in facial nerve paralysis. All patients achieved satisfactory (House-Brackmann grade III) CNVII regeneration. No or minimal tongue atrophy occurred on the side of the anastomosis. Patients reported no problems with phonation or swallowing, except for the patients with preexisting lower cranial nerve deficits. HHFA effectively treats facial palsy after failed SRS with minimal risk of tongue atrophy and minimal morbidity. The results of the treatment are comparable to those achieved with patients without previous SRS.

Hemihypoglossal-facial nerve anastomosis for facial nerve palsy

Background and purposeCommonly used classic hypoglossal (CN XII) to facial nerve (CN VII) anastomosis has the disadvantage of tongue hemiatrophy. Thus, various attempts have been made to modify this method to reduce the tongue damage. The aim of this report was to present the results of hemihypoglossal-facial nerve anastomosis (HHFA) technique in relation to facial muscles reanimation and hemitongue atrophy. Material and methodsThe first 7 consecutive patients who underwent CN VII anastomosis with half of the CNXII, for which the follow-up period exceeded 12 months, were analysed. During the procedure, CN VII was transected as proximally as possible after drilling the mastoid process. CN XII was separated longitudinally into two parts at a short distance to allow suture of the stumps without any tension. One half of CN XII was transected and sutured to the distal stump of CN VII. Recovery from facial palsy was quantified with the House-Brackmann grading system (HB). Tongue function was assessed according to the scale proposed by Martins. ResultsFeatures of initial reinnervation of facial muscles were visible after 6 months in all 7 patients. All patients achieved satisfactory outcome of CN VII regeneration (HB grade III) until the last control examination (12-27 months after surgery, mean 16). No or minimal tongue atrophy without deviation (grades I-II according to the Martins scale) was found in 4 patients. Mild hemiatrophy with tongue deviation < 30 degrees (grade III) was visible in 3 patients. ConclusionsIn our experience, HHFA is effective treatment of facial palsy and gives a chance to reduce damage of the tongue.

Microsurgical repair of the facial nerve

Objective To report a series of 18 patients who underwent microsurgical repair of the facial nerve using different techniques and to discuss the indications and results of facial reinnervation procedures. Methods Eighteen patients with post-surgical facial palsy underwent facial reinnervation using different techniques. These included classic hypoglossal-facial anastomosis in 13 cases, one-stage hemihypoglossal-intratemporal facial nerve anastomosis and translabyrinthine removal of residual intracanalar acoustic schwannoma in 3, hemihypoglossal-facial nerve anastomosis in one, and neurotization of facial muscles through a nerve graft in one. Results The facial muscle function improved in all patients, up to grade III in 7 cases (39%), grade IV in 9 (50%) and grade V in 2 (11%). The tongue atrophy was minimal in 70.5%, moderate in 17.5% and severe in 12%. The outcome was better in younger patients (less than 40 years of age) and in those with a lesser grade of preoperative facial impairment. Conclusions The classic hypoglossal-facial anastomosis is the technique of choice in most cases. The use of the intratemporal facial nerve is indicated when removal of an intracanalar residual schwannoma must also be performed. The neurotization of the facial muscles through a nerve graft may be used when there is no distal trunk of the facial nerve avaible for the anastomosis.

Microsurgical Repair of the Facial Nerve

To report a series of 18 patients who underwent microsurgical repair of the facial nerve using different techniques and to discuss the indications and results of facial reinnervation procedures. Eighteen patients with post-surgical facial palsy underwent facial reinnervation using different techniques.'These included classic hypoglossal-facial anastomosis in 13 cases, one-stage hemihypoglossal-intratemporal facial nerve anastomosis and translabyrinthine removal of residual intra-canalar acoustic schwannoma in 3, hemihypoglossal-facial nerve anastomosis in one, and neurotization of facial muscles through a nerve graft in one. The facial muscle function improved in all patients, up to grade III in 7 cases (39 %), grade IV in 9 (50 %) and grade V in 2 (11 %). The tongue atrophy was minimal in 70.5 %, moderate in 17.5 % and severe in 12 %. The outcome was better in younger patients (less than 40 years of age) and in those with a lesser grade of preoperative facial impairment. The classic hypoglossal-facial anastomosis is the technique of choice in most cases. The use of the intratemporal facial nerve is indicated when removal of an intra-canalar residual schwannoma must also be performed. The neurotization of the facial muscles through a nerve graft may be used when there is no distal trunk of the facial nerve available for the anastomosis.

Motoneurons innervating facial muscles after hypoglossal and hemihypoglossal-facial nerve anastomosis in rats

Hypoglossal-facial nerve anastomosis (HFA) is the most popular surgical procedure to reinnervate facial muscles after injury of the facial nerve. Section of the hypoglossus causes paralysis and atrophy of the hemi-tongue. In the attempt to overcome this consequence, the hemihypoglossal-facial nerve anastomosis (HHFA) has been proposed and only a half of the main trunk of the hypoglossus is connected to the distal stump of the facial nerve. In the rat, we have studied experimentally the anatomical nuclear changes after HFA and HHFA with the aim of establishing the quantitative motoneuron innervation of facial muscles obtained with each one of the two operative options. Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) injected in both types of anastomosis labeled not only hypoglossal motoneurons, but also facial motoneurons. HFA appeared to offer a significant quantitative motoneuron innervation higher than HHFA and then a higher probable better functional recovery. Both HFA and HHFA performed immediately after section of the facial nerve in rats did not result in a phenomenon of motor hyperinnervation. In our experimental model, the proximal facial nerve stump was coagulated at the stylomastoid foramen to avoid regeneration. Then, the labeled motoneurons into the facial nucleus could really be the expression of axonal projections from facial motoneurons to the hypoglossus nerve and facial muscles. No labeled motoneurons were seen contralaterally as we observed previously after section and repair of several nerves.

One-stage Removal of Residual Intracanalicular Acoustic Neuroma and Hemihypoglossal-intratemporal Facial Nerve Anastomosis: Technical Note

Incomplete removal of residual intracanalicular tumor and injury to the facial nerve are the main problems associated with surgery of large acoustic neuromas via the retromastoid suboccipital approach. In patients with residual or recurrent intracanalicular neuromas, the translabyrinthine approach is the preferred surgical route, allowing complete tumor removal; it may eventually also be used for exposure of the intratemporal portion of the facial nerve for a hemihypoglossal-facial nerve anastomosis when a postoperative facial palsy exists This one-stage procedure has not been described previously. Three patients with postoperative facial palsy and residual intracanalicular tumor after surgical removal of a large acoustic neuroma via the retromastoid suboccipital approach underwent reoperation via the translabyrinthine approach and one-stage removal of the residual tumor and hemihypoglossal-facial nerve anastomosis. All three patients had a complete facial palsy of House-Brackmann Grade VI and a residual tumor of 8 to 12 mm. A classic translabyrinthine approach was used to open the internal auditory canal and remove the residual intracanalicular tumor. The facial nerve was exposed in its mastoid and tympanic parts, mobilized, and transected; then, the long nerve stump was transposed into the neck and used for an end-to-side anastomosis into the hypoglossal nerve. The operation resulted in variable improvement of the facial muscle function up to Grade III (one patient) and Grade IV (two patients). Reoperation via the translabyrinthine approach is indicated for removal of residual intracanalicular acoustic neuroma and realization of a hypoglossal-facial nerve anastomosis in a single procedure. It is suggested that this type of anastomosis may also be used during the initial operation for acoustic neuroma removal when the facial nerve is inadvertently sectioned.

Hypoglossal-facial nerve side-to-end anastomosis for preservation of hypoglossal function: results of delayed treatment with a new technique.

This report describes a new surgical technique to improve the results of conventional hypoglossal-facial nerve anastomosis that does not necessitate the use of nerve grafts or hemihypoglossal nerve splitting. Using this technique, the mastoid process is partially resected to open the stylomastoid foramen and the descending portion of the facial nerve in the mastoid cavity is exposed by drilling to the level of the external genu and then sectioning its most proximal portion. The hypoglossal nerve beneath the internal jugular vein is exposed at the level of the axis and dissected as proximally as possible. One-half of the hypoglossal nerve is transected: use of less than one-half of the hypoglossal nerve is adequate for approximation to the distal stump of the atrophic facial nerve. The nerve endings, the proximally cut end of the hypoglossal nerve, and the distal stump of the facial nerve are approximated and anastomosed without tension. This technique was used in four patients with long-standing facial paralysis (greater than 24 months), and it provided satisfactory facial reanimation, with no evidence of hemitongue atrophy or dysfunction. Because it completely preserves glossal function, the hemihypoglossal-facial nerve anastomosis described here constitutes a successful approach in patients with long-standing facial paralysis who do not wish to have tongue function compromised.

Hypoglossal-facial nerve side-to-end anastomosis for preservation of hypoglossal function: results of delayed treatment with a new technique

This report describes a new surgical technique to improve the results of conventional hypoglossal-facial nerve anastomosis that does not necessitate the use of nerve grafts or hemihypoglossal nerve splitting. Using this technique, the mastoid process is partially resected to open the stylomastoid foramen and the descending portion of the facial nerve in the mastoid cavity is exposed by drilling to the level of the external genu and then sectioning its most proximal portion. The hypoglossal nerve beneath the internal jugular vein is exposed at the level of the axis and dissected as proximally as possible. One-half of the hypoglossal nerve is transected: use of less than one-half of the hypoglossal nerve is adequate for approximation to the distal stump of the atrophic facial nerve. The nerve endings, the proximally cut end of the hypoglossal nerve, and the distal stump of the facial nerve are approximated and anastomosed without tension. This technique was used in four patients with long-standing facial paralysis (greater than 24 months), and it provided satisfactory facial reanimation, with no evidence of hemitongue atrophy or dysfunction. Because it completely preserves glossal function, the hemihypoglossal-facial nerve anastomosis described here constitutes a successful approach in patients with long-standing facial paralysis who do not wish to have tongue function compromised.