Microvascular decompression for trigeminal neuralgia: an experience of 84 operated cases

We retrospectively analyse and review the results of microvascular decompression performed for trigeminal neuralgia. We also discuss the surgical nuances, complication avoidance and compare our results with other reported studies. This is a retrospective study in which the data of eighty-four patients who underwent microvascular decompression for trigeminal neuralgia in the last ten years from 2013 till May 2023 at our institute (Neuron hospital and SSG Hospital, Vadodara, India) was reviewed. The preoperative pain characteristics, radiology reports and the degree and duration of post-operative pain relief and neurologic outcome was assessed. MRI was done preoperatively in all the cases to rule out a secondary cause for trigeminal neuralgia. All the cases of secondary trigeminal neuralgia were excluded from the study. A favourable outcome was defined as a post-operative Barrow Neurological Institute pain intensity score of 1. Eighty patients had excellent immediate postoperative pain relief without any need for medications. None of these patients have developed any recurrence of pain till date. Four operated patients did not experience any pain relief after surgery. Microvascular decompression for trigeminal neuralgia is a safe and effective procedure which treats the root cause of the disease and hence provides good long term pain relief.