Endoscopic neurovascular perspective in microvascular decompression of trigeminal neuralgia.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the advantages of endoscopic assistance in microvascular decompression (MVD) for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia (TGN).


METHODS
One hundred and sixty-seven patients suffering from TGN were treated by MVD from October 2003 to December 2006. The operating microscope was used in conjunction with a 30 degrees effect endoscope to diagnose neurovascular compression (NVC).


RESULTS
The type and grade of NVC were determined in all cases. 85.26% of neurovascular conflicts were diagnosed with the microscope alone. An additional 14.76% could be diagnosed with the assistance of the endoscope. 96.79% of patients experienced immediate relief of pain.


CONCLUSIONS
MVD is a highly effective treatment for TGN. Endoscopes are very useful during the procedures. They increase the clarity of the surgical field and they enable panoramic visualization in areas that are blind to the direct field of view of the operating microscope. A significant percentage of neurovascular conflicts would be missed at surgery without endoscopic assistance.
Chen
Min Jie
MJ
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Ninth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, PR China.
Zhang
Wei Jie
WJ
Yang
Chi
C
Wu
Yi Qun
YQ
Zhang
Zhi Yuan
ZY
Wang
Yong
Y
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D044583:Neuroendoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014277:Trigeminal Neuralgia / Q000145:classification / Q000601:surgery*; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*