Microvascular Decompression for Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia in the Semi-Sitting Position: A Report of Two Cases

The semi-sitting position is well known to neurosurgeons. However, there are few reports of microvascular decompression surgery for glossopharyngeal neuralgia performed using the semi-sitting position. The semi-sitting position is not widely adopted in Japan, but it is considered to be a very useful neurosurgical position. Microvascular decompression surgery for glossopharyngeal neuralgia is a relatively rare procedure, and the semi-sitting position is very effective, considering the possibility of intraoperative cardiac arrest and postoperative complications of lower cranial nerve palsy. This report describes two cases of glossopharyngeal neuralgia operated in the semi-sitting position. Microvascular decompression was performed on both patients, and postoperative pain controls were good and no complications were observed. We show that the use of the semi-sitting position to perform microvascular decompression for glossopharyngeal neuralgia provides an excellent surgical view of the brainstem.