Safety and efficacy of microvascular decompression in elderly patients with cranial neuropathy

Objective To investigate the safety and clinical efficacies of microvascular decompression(MVD)on cranial neuropathy such as trigeminal neuralgia(TN), hemifacial spasm(HFS)and glossopharyngeal neuralgia(GN)in elderly patients. Methods Clinical data of 72 patients aged 70 years and over diagnosed as cranial neuropathy and undergoing microvascular decompression in our department from January 2015 to August 2017 were retrospectively analyzed.The curative effect and complications were analyzed after treatment. Results All patients successfully underwent MVD under general anesthesia.The facial pain completely disappeared or was significantly improved in 85.7%(30/35)of TN patients one year after operation.The intermittent tonic contractions of the facial muscles were completely disappeared in 94.3%(33/35)of HFS patients.Clinical symptoms were completely disappeared in 2 patients with GN, 4 patients with TN and HFS and 1 patients with TN and GN. Conclusions The surgery goes well and the patients have good postoperative recovery, with no severe complications such as intracranial hematoma, infarction, cerebrospinal fluid leakage, acute hydrocephalus and death.After an adequate preoperative evaluation, MVD is safe and effective with a few complications.It can significantly improve the quality of life in elderly patients with trigeminal neuralgia, hemifacial spasm, and glossopharyngeal neuralgia. Key words: Cranial nerve disease; Micromanipulation, decompression, surgical