Microvascular decompression for idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia via retrosigmoid approach

Objective:To explore the curative effects of microvascular decompression for idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia via retrosigmoid approach.Methods:24 patients were performed microvascular decompression via retrosigmoid approach under general anesthesia.Results: Vascular compression in the trigeminal nerve roots was found in all the 24 patients,which included the superior cerebellar artery in 16 patients,anterior inferior cerebellar artery in 5 patients,posterior inferior cerebellar artery in 2 patients,vein in 1 patient.After the operation,18 patients experienced complete pain relief,whereas the symptoms had been significantly improved in 5 cases,and 1 patient experienced partly pain relief.Of the 24 patients followed up(2 years),1 patient had recurrence 12 months after operation.Conclusions: Trigeminal neuralgia is caused by the vascular compression in the trigeminal nerve roots;therefore,microvascular decompression via retrosegmoid approach is an effective treatment for idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia.