Micro-surgical decompression for greater occipital neuralgia
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Updated: May 20, 2026
Minimally Invasive Surgical Decompression of Occipital Nerves
Published on: September 13, 2024
Fuyong Li1, Yi Ma, Jianjun Zou
1The People's Hospital of Liaoning Province, the 2nd Department of Neurosurgery, Shenyang, China.
Aim:
To evaluate the clinical effect of micro-surgical decompression of greater occipital nerve for greater occipital neuralgia (GON).
Material And Methods:
76 patients underwent surgical decompression of the great occipital nerve. A nerve block was tested before operation. The headache rapidly resolved after infiltration of 1% Lidocaine near the tender area of the nerve trunk.
Results:
89 procedures were performed for 76 patients. The mean follow up duration was 20 months (range 7-52 months). The headache symptoms of 68 (89.5%) patients were completely resolved, and another 5 (6.6%) patients were significantly relieved without the need for any further medical treatment. Three (3.9%) patients experienced recurrence of the disorder. All patients experienced hypoesthesia of the innervated area of the great occipital nerve. They recovered gradually within 1 to 6 months after surgery.
Conclusion:
Micro-surgical decompression of the greater occipital nerve is a safe and effective method for greater occipital neuralgia. We believe our findings support the notion that the technique should also be considered as the first-line procedure for GON.
