Microvascular decompression for trigeminal neuralgia: recurrences and complications.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to review the complications and pain recurrences after microvascular decompression (MVD) for trigeminal neuralgia.


METHODS
This is a retrospective review of 156 patients undergoing MVD in the last 25 years at Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Australia. Patients were contacted by telephone and a questionnaire was used for the interview.


RESULTS
The probability of becoming pain free after MVD in our study was 0.93. There were no deaths and the incidence of serious complication was 2%. Our complication profile is similar to other authors. Pain recurrences occurred in 18% of patients over a 25 year period. This was most likely within two years of surgery and thereafter occurred at a rate of 2-3.5% a year. Seventy-four percent of patients were still pain free at 10 years. In half of the patients the recurrence was not as severe as the initial occurrence of pain. Thirty percent of recurrences occurred on the opposite side. Eighteen percent of patients were not pain free despite any intervention.


CONCLUSIONS
Microvascular decompression in experienced hands has an excellent pain outcome in the majority of patients. Major complications are uncommon.
Olson
Sarah
S
Department of Neurosurgery Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. sarah.olson@southernhealth.org.au
Atkinson
Leigh
L
Weidmann
Michael
M
D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014277:Trigeminal Neuralgia / Q000601:surgery*; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*