[Microvascular decompression in trigeminal neuralgia]

30 cases of trigeminal neuralgia (TN) were operated between 1988-1995. 26 underwent microvascular decompression (MVD) and 4 others had partial rhizotomies. 87% of the patients became and remained pain-free, while 13% had only partial relief of pain. Permanent side-effects included unsteadiness of gait in 1 and hearing loss on the operated side, in another. There was no serious morbidity or mortality. In the same period, 119 patients underwent retrogasserian glycerol injections for TN. MVD is recommended as an effective procedure in those under 65 years of age, in whom there is no medical contraindication to craniotomy.