MICROVASCULAR DECOMPRESSION FOR TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA

Abstract

These results strongly support the goal of performing the procedure without the implant in contact with the root. This is easier with the superior cerebellar artery, because of its laxity and small number of perforating branches, than with the anteroinferior cerebellar artery, which has perforators to the brainstem and labyrinthine artery arising from its cisternal portion. The significantly better long-term cure rate when the implant is not in contact with the root favors the "pure" decompressive effect of the microvascular decompression procedure, rather than a conduction block mechanism.