[Microcoagulation in the treatment of facial spasm (author's transl)].

A method for the surgical treatment of facial spasm is described. The nerve trunk is exposed in the mastoid region and the sheath is opened. With a bipolar electrode, microspots are burnt spirally round the nerve trunk and also at a few places in the centre of the nerve after pulling the bundles apart. Three cases are reported and assessed in comparison with the methods of Miehlke, Fisch, Rosemann and Schaupp. The more rapid and easier delineation of the nerve trunk in the event of a recurrence are considered an advantage compared with the extratemporal methods.