Endoscopic versus open microvascular decompression for trigeminal neuralgia: a systematic review and comparative meta-analysis (original) (raw)

Fully endoscopic microvascular decompression for trigeminal neuralgia: technique review and early outcomes

Neurosurgical Focus, 2014

Object Fully endoscopicmicrovascular decompression (E-MVD) of the trigeminal nerve was initially described more than 1 decade ago, but has not yet gained wide acceptance. The authors present the experience of their first 47 consecutive E-MVDs for trigeminal neuralgia (TN). Methods All surgeries were performed by a single surgeon (J.Y.K.L.) at the Pennsylvania Hospital at the University of Pennsylvania. Patients prospectively completed pain scales before and after surgery by using the Brief Pain Inventory–Facial outcomes tool. All patients were called on the telephone, and the same outcome tool was administered without reference to their preoperative pain status. Results Forty-seven patients (17 men) were identified and enrolled. Forty (85%) had Burchiel Type 1 TN. Vascular compression was observed at surgery in 42 patients (89%). No surgery was aborted or converted to microscope. One patient suffered permanent hearing loss, for a permanent neurological morbidity rate of 2%. Overall ...

Microvascular decompression as a surgical management for trigeminal neuralgia: long-term follow-up and review of the literature

Neurosurgical Review, 2008

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a common pain syndrome and is characterized by recurrent episodes of intense lancinating pain in one or more divisions of the trigeminal nerve. Neurovascular compression (NVC) has been considered as the main cause of TN in the root entry zone (REZ) of the trigeminal nerve in the cerebellopontine angle cistern. Microvascular decompression (MVD) is the surgical procedure of choice for the treatment of medically refractory TN. MVD has also been shown to provide pain relief even in patients without visible neurovascular compression. Additionally, it has been accepted that MVD can provide the highest rate of long-term patient satisfaction with the lowest rate of pain recurrence. We did, systematic review of the subject and also our own experiences.

Results of Microvascular Decompression Surgery in the Treatment of Trigeminal Neuralgia

2021

INTRODUCTION: Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) develops as a result of the trigger of one or more branches of the trigeminal nerve by stimuli. Most cases of TN are usually caused by compression of the trigeminal nerve root, within a few millimeters from its exit from the pons. In this study, we aimed to present our experience regarding the microvascular decompression surgical approach and its results in the treatment of patients who applied to the clinic with a diagnosis of TN and who did not respond to any of the treatments. METHODS: Microvascular decompression (MVD) surgery was performed on a total of 7 patients with TN who applied to the clinic between 2020 and 2021, and the information of the patients was retrospectively evaluated using surgery reports, epicrisis, and magnetic resonance images (MRI). RESULTS: It was observed that all 7 patients with TN were initially administrated carbamazepine and/or oxcarbazepine, implemented radiofrequency thermocoagulation treatment and gamma knife radiosurgery. Subsequently, all the patients underwent MVD surgery. No complications developed in the postoperative period and complaints of TN in all patients completely resolved in the early period. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: In patients who are unresponsive to treatments, thin-section 2

Fully Endoscopic Microvascular Decompression for Trigeminal Neuralgia: Technical Note Describing a Single-Center Experience

World Neurosurgery, 2022

Purpose Microvascular decompression (MVD) surgery has been accepted as a potentially curative method for hemifacial spasm (HFS). The primary cause of failure of MVD is incomplete decompression of the offending vessel due to inadequate visualization. This study is aimed at evaluating the benefit of endoscopic visualization and the value of fully endoscopic MVD. Methods From March 2016 to March 2018, 45 HFS patients underwent fully endoscopic MVD in our department. From opening the dura to preparing to close, the assistant held the endoscope and the surgeon operated. Abnormal muscle response (AMR) and brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP) were monitored. For every patient, the offending vessel was transposed or interposed and achieved complete decompression. AMR was used to evaluate the adequacy of decompression at the end of the surgery. The intra-operative findings and postoperative outcomes and complications were analyzed. Results Immediately after surgeries, 39 patients (86.7%) achieved excellent result; 2 cases (4.4%) had good result. So the postoperative effective rate was 91.1% (41/45). During 12-36 month follow-up, the outcomes were excellent in 42 cases (93.3%) and good in 2 cases (4.4%), and the effective rate reached to 97.8% (44/45). No recurrence was noted. The postoperative complications were found in 2 patients (4.4%). One patient (2.2%) showed delayed facial palsy on the tenth day but was fully recovered 1 month later. Intracranial infection was noticed in 1 patient (2.2%) and was cured by using intravenous antibiotics for 2 weeks. There was no hearing impairment, hoarseness, or other complications. Conclusions Fully endoscopic MVD is both safe and effective in the treatment of HFS. Electrophysiological monitoring is helpful to gain a good result and reduce hearing impairment.

Microvascular Decompression Treatment for Trigeminal Neuralgia

Journal of Craniofacial Surgery, 2011

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of microvascular decompression treatment prospectively in 40 patients with trigeminal neuralgia who were resistant to medical treatments and underwent microvascular decompression surgery (MVDS) between the years 2008 and 2010. Methods: The patients' data were collected as per norms suggested by Zakrzewska and Lopez and followed up using annual trigeminal neuralgia survey given by Zakrzewska et al, through direct interview during follow-up visits. Patients were operated on in supine position with lateral suboccipital surgical approach. Results: Forty patients with a mean age of 48 (SD, 13) years underwent surgery. The etiological factors were estimated as idiopathic or vascular compression in 39 patients and epidermoid tumor in 1. During the postoperative period of 8 to 46 months, 37 (92.5%) of the patients were pain-free without any further medical treatment. Conclusions: Our result supports the notion that MVDS is the treatment of choice for patients with trigeminal neuralgia. Pure MVDS can offer long-term cure rate of more than 98% of success for neuralgia in the presence of clear-cut and marked vascular compression at surgery.

Long-Term Follow-Up of Microvascular Decompression for Trigeminal Neuralgia

Skull Base, 2011

We conducted a study to evaluate the follow-up characteristics of patients with trigeminal neuralgia (TN) and to evaluate the factors affecting long-term outcome of microvascular decompression (MVD) in TN. Between 1983 and 2003, 156 patients with TN treated with MVD by 4 neurosurgeons at University Medical Centre Groningen/the Netherlands were evaluated. Baseline data from operative outcome were evaluated using univariate and multivariate analysis. The group consisted of 156 patients with TN: 90 females and 66 males with a median follow-up period of 9.7 years. The average age of initial symptoms was 51 years. The average duration of symptoms was 58 months. Postoperative 22 patients had a facial hyperpathia or hyperesthesia. Postoperatively, 137 patients had immediate relief. Postoperatively 1 year, 140 patients still had a good outcome of the operation. Twenty-seven patients with good immediate postoperative results had recurrent pain. From the group of patients with typical TN, 82% had good long-term results after operation. Patients with typical TN and immediate postoperative remission, in univariate analysis, had significantly more often an excellent/good postoperative outcome. Immediate postoperative remission is an independent predictive factor for a good longterm outcome. The long-term results of MVD in majority of patients were good with no mortalities and no major morbidities. Patients with typical TN had better long-term outcomes and less recurrence.

Long-term follow-up of microvascular decompression for management of trigeminal neuralgia

Egyptian Journal of Neurosurgery, 2022

Background: Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is mostly caused by neurovascular compression of the trigeminal nerve and the root entry zone at the brain stem. Microvascular decompression (MVD) has been established as a standard treatment for trigeminal neuralgia in patients not adequately controlled by medications. Objectives: Reporting the long-term outcome of MVD in our group of patients with follow-up period equal to or more than five years. Patients and methods: Twenty-one patients operated by MVD for TN were followed up for at least five years, they were evaluated describing the patient criteria and operative findings, complications, and the long-term clinical outcome. Results: Sixteen of the twenty-one patients had complete pain relief maintained for up to five years and three of them up to eight years. Two patients had significant improvement but with mild occasional pain not requiring medications only one of them had his occasional pain maintained till five years, three patients experienced persistent pain which was still there after five years one of them showed mild improvement in his pain after one year of follow-up. Complications were mild and/or transient most frequent were headache nausea and dizziness. Conclusion: In the long-term follow-up, microvascular decompression still maintains its clinical benefit with most patients still pain free after at least five years and up to eight years. It is safe procedures and should be considered in every patient with failed medical treatment.

A Novel Technical Refinement of Microvascular Decompression: Pain Relief and Complication Rate in a Consecutive Series of Patients With Trigeminal Neuralgia

Operative Neurosurgery

BACKGROUND Microvascular decompression (MVD) represents a milestone for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia (TN). Nevertheless, several complications still occur and may negatively affect the outcome. We recently proposed some technical nuances for complication avoidance related to MVD. OBJECTIVE To verify the efficacy of the proposed refinement of the standard MVD technique in terms of resolution of the pain and reduction of complication rates. METHODS We analyzed surgical and outcome data of patients with TN using a novel surgical refinement to MVD, over the last 4 yr. Outcome variables included pain relief, facial numbness, muscular atrophy, local cutaneous occipital and temporal pain or numbness, cerebellar injury, hearing loss, cranial nerve deficits, wound infection, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak. Overall complication rate was defined as the occurrence of any of the aforementioned items. RESULTS A total of 72 consecutive patients were enrolled in the study. Pain relief ...

Endoscope-assisted Microvascular Decompression for Trigeminal Neuralgia: Technical Case Report

Neurosurgery, 2006

OBJECTIVE: Microvascular decompression may fail to relieve trigeminal neuralgia because a compressing vessel at the root entry zone may be overlooked during surgery. Alternatively, effective decompression may not always be achieved with the visualization provided by the microscope alone. We theorized that the addition of an endoscope would improve the efficacy of microvascular decompression. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed microvascular decompression of the trigeminal nerve in 114 patients. Before closure, the endoscope was used to inspect the root entry zone. When visualization with the microscope was poor, the endoscope was used to identify an aberrant vessel and to perform or improve the subsequent decompression. RESULTS: Of 114 patients who underwent microvascular decompression, 113 successfully underwent endoscopy. In 38 patients (33%), endoscopy revealed arteries that were poorly seen (25%) or not seen at all (8%) with the microscope. At a mean follow-up period of 29 months, the pain was completely relieved in 112 patients (99.1%), all of whom were off medication. Complications included trigeminal dysesthesias in nine patients and a wound infection, partial hearing loss, and complete hearing loss in one patient each. The overall complication rate was 9%. CONCLUSION: Endoscopy is a simple and safe adjunct to microscopic exploration of the trigeminal nerve. The markedly improved visualization increases the likelihood of identifying the offending vessel and consequently of achieving satisfactory decompression of the nerve. Thus far, the success rate has been high, and the complication profile is comparable to that of other large series.

Microvascular decompression for primary trigeminal neuralgia : short-term follow-up results and prognostic factors

Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society, 2012

The aim of this prospective study was to demonstrate the influence of some factors on the prognosis of microvascular decompression in 37 patients with trigeminal neuralgia. The results of microvascular decompression (MVD) in 37 patients with trigeminal neuralgia were evaluated at 6 months after surgery and were compared with clinical and operative findings. The sex of the patient, the patient's age at surgery, the side of the pain, and the duration of symptoms before surgery did not play any significant roles in prognosis. Also, the visual analogue scale (VAS) of the patient, the duration of each pain attack, and the frequency of pain over 24 hours did not play any significant roles in prognosis. In addition, intraoperative detection of the type of conflicting vessel, the degree of severity of conflict, and the location of the conflict around the circumference of the root did not play any roles in prognosis. The only factors affecting the prognosis in MVD surgery were intraopera...