How long does microvascular decompression last?

Results. Of the 1185 patients who underwent microvascular decompression during the 20-year study period, 1155 were followed for 1 year or more after the operation. The median follow-up period was 6.2 years. Most postoperative recurrences of tic took place in the first two years after surgery.

How long does it take for the trigeminal nerve to recover after microvascular decompression?

A microvascular decompression may require up to four days of hospitalization. Most people return to normal activities in about three weeks but may have to avoid strenuous activities for a while longer. Most people can resume normal activities within two days after percutaneous procedures or a Gamma Knife surgery.

What is Teflon granuloma?

Teflon granuloma is an inflammatory giant-cell foreign-body reaction to polytetrafluoroethylene fibers or injection. Tissue augmentation with Teflon has dramatically declined over the past two decades because of its implication in granuloma formation.

Why is Teflon used in surgery?

The Teflon material has been widely used in neurosurgical microvascular decompression and in cardiovascular surgery. In these fields, its reliability, safety, and lack of harmful effects have been widely recognized and should also apply in aneurysm surgery.

What happens after trigeminal neuralgia surgery?

Pain and stiffness from the operation usually subside within a week, and you can begin to resume normal activities at your own pace. However, you should avoid heavy lifting or straining in the first six weeks following your surgery.

Can trigeminal neuralgia come back after surgery?

Recurrence may occur in 18–30% of patients, mainly within 2 years of surgery and thereafter at a rate of 2–5% per year [4,14].

How long do headaches last after MVD surgery?

This usually disappears within 2-4 weeks after surgery. Some neck pain and headache can be expected after surgery. In most cases, these discomforts will gradually go away within a few weeks.

Is Teflon used in implants?

Teflon is utilized in neurosurgery as well as in plastic, vascular and heart surgery. Thus, these experiments show that Teflon is relatively inert when used as an implant in the central nervous system.

Are there any side effects from trigeminal neuralgia?

Side effects may include tingling or numbness in the face (in up to 20-30% of patients), but this is usually mild if it does occur. Will I have pain when I wake up? Patients are not put to sleep for this procedure as it causes minimal pain and discomfort. The treatment requires use of a frame that is attached to the head with pins.

How does Gamma Knife treatment work for trigeminal neuralgia?

Gamma Knife treatment does not target the root cause of trigeminal neuralgia, but instead damages the trigeminal nerve to stop the transmission of pain signals. The procedure requires little or no anesthesia, and is performed on an outpatient basis.

What causes stabbing pain in the trigeminal nerve?

Trigeminal neuralgia, also called tic doulourex, is a rare neurological disease that causes sudden, severe, brief, stabbing recurrent episodes of facial pain in one or more branches of the trigeminal nerve. It is usually caused when the trigeminal nerve is being compressed by an artery or a vein, but can also be present with no apparent cause.

Which is the first line of treatment for trigeminal neuralgia?

The first line of treatment for patients with trigeminal neuralgia is always medication. Even minimally invasive surgery carries risks and should be considered a last resort. The drugs most commonly used for treating trigeminal neuralgia are medications that were originally developed for the treatment of epilepsy.