Trigeminal neuralgia : analysis of 58 cases of microvascular decompression

58 Patients with trigeminal neuralgia treated with microvascular decompression are analysed. Arterial compressions of root entry zone of trigeminal nerve were found in 84 percent, venous compression in 5 percent and combined arterial venous compression in 9 percent. Negative explorations were observed in 2percent of cases. Follow up period ranged from 2 to 6 years. Results were excellent in 77 percent good in 9 percent and unsatisfactory in 5 percent of cases. 9 percent of patients had recurrences/failures. Immediate pain relief was seen in 86 percent of patients, but success rate dropped to 77 percent during the follow up. Results were correlated with various factors that influence the outcome. The results could not be correlated with age, sex and main branch involved but severity and nature of cross-compression of trigeminal root entry zone, duration of symptoms, characteristic of pain presentation, prior surgical procedures, postoperative sensory deficit and reexploration for recurrences/failures had significant relationship between operative results and outcome.