Microvascular Decompression Surgery

Book excerpt: This book provides an essential update on microvascular decompression (MVD) surgery, which has been widely accepted as an effective remedy for cranial nerve hyperexcitability disorders such as hemifacial spasm, trigeminal neuralgia, glossopharyngeal neuralgia, etc. The authors describe in detail those steps of the process that need the most attention in order to achieve an excellent postoperative outcome, including positioning, craniectomy, approach and identification of the culprit, etc. Though it primarily focuses on surgical principles and technical nuances, the book also addresses the intraoperative electrophysiologic monitoring and pathogeneses of hemifacial spasm and trigeminal neuralgia.