[Clinical analysis of 2643 cases of trigeminal neuralgia treated by microvascular decompression].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical effects of microvascular decompression in treating trigeminal neuralgia.

METHODS: Surgical experience and operative findings of 2643 cases of trigeminal neuralgia treated by microvascular decompression were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS: Two thousand four hundred and eighty-seven of 2643 cases were cured, 76 cases were ineffectiveness, 48 cases were effectiveness and 31 were ineffective. One patient died. Two thousand one hundred and thirty-six cases were followed up in 3-240 months, 1918 cases were cured, 85 cases were obviously effective, 39 cases were effective and 30 were ineffective. Sixty-four cases were pain relapsed and 37 cases were cured by second operation among them.

CONCLUSION: The etiology of trigeminal neuralgia is that the unusual vascular oppress the root entry zone, and arachnoid membrane circling the nerve is thickened and sticked. To untie the arachnoid membrane and decompress the offending vascular is the effective methods in treating trigeminal neuralgia.