title: Long-term results of microvascular decompression for trigeminal neuralgia and hemifacial spasms according to preoperative symptomatology.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Microvascular decompression (MVD) is currently used in several centres for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia (TN) and hemifacial spasms (HFS). How long-term results relate to the preoperative symptoms still needs to be documented. The primary aim of this study was to assess long-term results of MVD for TN and HFS, as related to the types of preoperative symptoms.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a retrospective study including all first-time MVDs for TN and HFS done during the 11-year period (1999-2009) in the Department of Neurosurgery, The National Hospital (Rikshospitalet), Oslo. The patients were categorized depending on the pre-operative symptomatology.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study population includes 303 first-time procedures performed by the senior author (PKE), 243 TN patients (65 % TN without constant pain and 35 % TN with constant pain) and 60 HFS patients (95 % typical HFS and 5 % atypical HFS). The patients were followed for a mean 71 months (range, 14-147). In both the TN and HFS patients, MVD caused lasting symptom relief in a high proportion of patients, including patients with atypical symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  After MVD for TN and HFS, regardless of preoperative symptoms, lasting relief is observed in a high proportion of patients, with a favorable complication profile.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Oslo University Hospital - Rikshospitalet, Pb 4950, Nydalen, 0424, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Tiril
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sandel
authors.forename: Per Kristian
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Eide
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D019569:Hemifacial Spasm / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods; D061145:Microvascular Decompression Surgery / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014277:Trigeminal Neuralgia / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult