·  An improved microvascular decompression in treating trigeminal neuralgia: application of nest-shaped Teflon fibers

Original Research Article

• World Neurosurgery        Available online 28 September 2017
• Yingbin Jiao, Zhiyong Yan, Shusheng Che, Chao Wang, Jianpeng Wang, Xin Wang, He Wang, Weiguo Qi, Yugong Feng

Abstract

The aim of this study was to develop an improved Microvascular decompression (MVD) surgery using nest-shaped Teflon fibers. Eighteen consecutive trigeminal neuralgia (TN) patients who underwent MVD using nest-shaped Teflon fibers between January 2012 and December 2013 were included in this investigation. During the surgery, the nest shape of Teflon was formed by gently pushing Teflon prosthesis at the center position toward the periphery. Immediate postoperative outcome was evaluated using numerical rating scale (NRS) score, then patients were followed up for recurrence. Pain was completely relieved in 16 (88.9%) cases immediately after the surgery, and 2 cases (11.1%) achieved partial pain relief. Seven (38.9%) patients developed postoperative complications. All complications were successfully mitigated before discharge. The patients were followed up for 2.0 to 3.4 years. During follow-up, recurrence was observed in 2 patient (11.1%). No Teflon adhesion or Teflon-induced granuloma was found. The nest-shaped Teflon fibers in MVD surgery for TN is safe and applicable. The long-term outcomes and the comparison between hollow nest-shaped implants and the standard cigar-shaped implants should be assessed in the future investigation with a large sample size.