A Clinical Analysis of Microvascular Decompression Surgery with Sacrification of the Superior Petrosal Venous Complex for Trigeminal Neuralgia: A Single-Surgeon Experience

Abstract

AIM: To report the surgical outcomes in patients with trigeminal neuralgia (TN) who underwent microvascular decompression (MVD) with superior petrosal vein sacrification. MATERIAL and METHODS: Data from 63 patients, whose information was obtained from a group of 113 patients who underwent surgery from 2008 to 2018, were reviewed retrospectively by the first author who was not part of the surgical team, and the pain conditions were evaluated objectively. RESULTS: Following surgery, pain relief occurred in 84% of patients during the early postoperative period and in 69.8% of patients during long-term follow-up. The major offending vessel was the superior cerebellar artery. CONCLUSION: MVD surgery, in particular for patients with typical pain, is one of the most effective treatment strategies for TN. Superior petrosal vein sacrification is a safe method that helps neurosurgeons to visualise the surgical area and perform a better work-up. Neurosurgeons should not be afraid to carry out superior petrosal vein sacrification.