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.
What are the side effects of microvascular decompression?
These include:
- Infection.
- Hearing loss, facial numbness or facial weakness (usually temporary side effects)
- Spinal fluid leak.
- Excessive bleeding.
- Difficulty with speech or swallowing.
- Stroke or hemorrhage (very rare)
How long does microvascular decompression last?
Microvascular decompression tends to provide fairly long-lasting, but not permanent, pain relief. In trigeminal neuralgia and glossopharyngeal neuralgia, the best evidence shows that between 77 and 95 percent of patients experience pain relief after MVD. The pain relief lasts an average of 10 to 15 years.
Is microvascular decompression surgery considered brain surgery?
MVD requires the use of general anesthesia. In addition, because it is also brain surgery, those with other medical conditions or who are in generally poor health may not be candidates.
What are the side effects of trigeminal neuralgia surgery?
Adverse effects of surgery include corneal anesthesia, facial numbness outside of the trigger zone, new facial pain, facial dysesthesias, and intracranial hemorrhage (rare). Anesthesia dolorosa (TN pain associated with dense hypesthesia) is usually a result of surgical treatment; this is difficult to treat.
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 microvascular decompression a serious surgery?
Microvascular decompression is an invasive procedure, and while safe in expert hands, does have potential rare/infrequent risks, including: Infection. Hearing loss, facial numbness, and/or facial weakness (usually temporary, rarely permanent)
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].
What are side effects of MVD surgery?
What are the risks?
- Infection.
- Hearing loss, facial numbness, and/or facial weakness (usually temporary, rarely permanent)
- Spinal fluid leak.
- Difficulty with speech or swallowing.
- Stroke or hemorrhage (very rare)
Is trigeminal neuralgia surgery considered brain surgery?
Trigeminal neuralgia surgery is not a brain surgery as it does not affect the brain. Microvascular decompression surgery involves making an opening in the skull and the membrane (dura) covering the brain, to access the trigeminal nerve. The brain itself is untouched during the surgery.
How long does it take for nerves to heal after surgery?
Successful nerve growth to the neuromuscular endplate may take as long as 6-12 months after surgery. After this period, nerve maturation and initial muscle recovery may take 12-18 months. Remember our body is hard at work healing before any electrical recovery can even be detected in the growing nerve fibers!
What happens after MVD surgery?
Staples/sutures are removed 10 to 14 days after surgery. Most patients may also experience muffled hearing on the side of surgery, facial numbness, fatigue from anesthesia, nausea/vomiting in the hospital (meds will be given) which usually improves over time. You may not drive or go back to work for about one month.