Fully Endoscopic Microvascular Decompression for Neurovascular Compression Syndrome: Early Outcomes and Technical...

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Neurology

Background:

• Neurovascular compression syndromes (NVCS) involve cranial nerve dysfunction due to vascular impingement.
• Microvascular decompression (MVD) is a standard treatment, but fully endoscopic MVD (E-MVD) adoption is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of fully endoscopic microvascular decompression (E-MVD) for treating neurovascular compression syndromes (NVCS).

Main Methods:

• A retrospective review of 105 patients with NVCS who underwent E-MVD.
• The cohort included patients with hemifacial spasm (HFS), trigeminal neuralgia (TN), and glossopharyngeal neuralgia.
• One-year postoperative telephone follow-up assessed symptom relief and complications.

Main Results:

• High rates of symptom resolution were observed: 94.1% for TN, 100% for glossopharyngeal neuralgia, and 96.6% for HFS.
• Recurrent cases also showed complete symptom relief.
• Minor complications included hearing loss, tinnitus, dysphagia, meningitis, CSF leakage, and fat liquefaction.

Conclusions:

• Fully endoscopic microvascular decompression (E-MVD) is a safe and effective treatment for NVCS.
• E-MVD offers a promising alternative to traditional surgical approaches for these conditions.