Microvascular decompression and percutaneous balloon compression for treatment of primary trigeminal neuralgia-a clinical prospective cohort study / 实用医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To compare clinical outcome of microvascular decompression (MVD) and percutaneous balloon compression (PBC) by using a prospective cohort study in order to provide a reliable evidence for the clinical decision-making. Methods Patients with trigeminal neuralgia hospitalized at Hangzhou First People′s Hospital in 2010 were chosen as database for cohort study. The patients were divided into MVD group (30 cases) and PBC group (30 cases). The clinical efficacy was followed by independent observers for 36 months after surgery. Chi-square test for hierarchical data, t test for quantitative data, and Kaplan-Meier plot for clinical outcomes were applied in the research. The endpoint was follow-up accomplishment or severe occurrence. Results Sixty patients were included in the research till the endpoint. The general records before surgery were almost the same with the literature records. By comparing painless period, mild and severe relapse, MVD group was superior to PBC group (P < 0.05). As for the painless survival period, MVD group was 96.7% of pain free after 1 year, 93.3% after 3 years, while PBC group was 90.0% after 1 year and 83.3% after 3 years. Regarding 3 years of follow-up, the relapse seemed occurred after 1 year in both groups. Conclusions As a curative and nondestructive procedure , MVD is more effective and has longer lasting pain free period , which should be considered as the first choice of treatment for trigeminal neuralgia in healthy people.