Microvascular Decompression (MVD) is a surgical treatment option for trigeminal neuralgia, geniculate neuralgia, and glossopharyngeal neuralgia. Although not a cure, until better treatments are developed, MVD is a cranial neuralgia patient’s best hope for lasting pain relief.
From the Face Facts website’s MVD page:
A microsurgical procedure called Microvascular Decompression (MVD) is an option for those cranial neuralgia patients who are medically eligible for open surgery. MVD surgery addresses the root cause of the neuralgia, a blood vessel compressing the cranial nerve(s). As such, MVD is the only treatment offering pain prevention rather than simple symptom relief.
In an MVD, a surgeon trained in the procedure accesses the cranial nerves through a surgical opening in the skull (craniotomy) behind the ear. The surgeon carefully lifts the offending vascular structure from the cranial nerve(s) and gently inserts Teflon padding between the blood vessels and the nerve, preventing further damage.
MVD In Depth
Dr. Aaron Cohen-Gadol, at his excellent website The Neurosurgical Atlas, offers interested readers a deep dive into MVD for trigeminal neuralgia. He goes into the history of TN, its signs, symptoms, and treatments, and into the mechanics of MVD surgery. His site includes some fantastic illustrations for people, like me, who want to know everything a lay person can know about the surgical option they’ve chosen.
The best part of the site could be the videos. Although not for the squeamish, Dr. Cohen-Gadol’s videos give a surgeon’s view into MVD.
Need information or Support?
Community support is vital to anyone undergoing surgery. Although MVD is a highly specialized and therefore rare surgery, there is a vibrant community of MVD patients online. MVD Patient Support, a Facebook based support group, is an excellent place to find information, support, and encouragement. Maybe you are considering MVD and want to learn more from patients who have gone before you. Perhaps you are scheduled for an MVD and anxiously awaiting the big day. You might be someone who has already had your MVD, and you want to talk to others who have had the same surgery. Whatever the case, MVD Patient Support could be just the information, support, and encouragement you need.