In a prospective study of 25 patients with trigeminal neuralgia (TN),
we examined the results of microvascular decompression (MVD). Initial
pain relief was complete in 22 patients and partial in one. There were
two primary failures. After a median observation time of 38 months, 2
0 of the 22 patients still were completely free of pain, and one patie
nt reported then 50% pain relief. A vascular compression of the trigem
inal root was found intra-operatively in 23 patients. No serious compl
ications occurred. Minor but bothersome dyaesthesias were reported by
two patients (8%). The results were satisfactory when compared to othe
r MVD studies.