Microvascular decompression, a type of surgery to treat ailments including trigeminal neuralgia and hemifacial spasm, enjoys a success rate of greater than 80 percent. Of those who undergo the procedure, very few experience serious complications. With such a low risk factor, the benefit you can experience through this procedure often outweighs the risks. As you prepare for this surgery you will likely be curious about what to expect and what actual microvascular decompression risks you may face. Use this guide to better understand microvascular decompression and how you will be impacted.
A Brief Overview of MVD
Microvascular decompression is performed by creating an opening in the back of the skull to expose part of the area near the base of your brain. Then, using imaging, the location of the nerve compression is identified. Next, a small surgical “sponge” is placed between the affected nerve and the compressing blood vessel. Finally, your head will be carefully stitched up, and you’ll be on the road to recovery.
After Surgery – What to Expect
Microvascular decompression is considered a major surgery because it involves both general anesthesia and creating an opening in the back of your head. Once the surgery is complete, you’ll spend time in recovery, where your pain levels and neurological signs will be checked. Next, you’ll likely be admitted to the ICU and kept under careful watch overnight. The following day, you will likely walk around and get ready to go home. Once discharged home (usually on the second hospital day), you will be expected to rest while your pain recedes and your stamina is bolstered.
Pre-Surgical Screening Aids in Preventing Risk
One of the reasons why microvascular decompression enjoys such a low rate of adverse events is that patients are closely screened ahead of time to ensure they have no underlying health issues and are healthy enough to withstand this type of surgery. When you are working with your doctor to determine which treatment is best for you, ensure you disclose all of your medical history. You’ll go through a routine pre-surgical exam as well, giving your doctor important information about your vital signs and blood work before your microvascular decompression is scheduled. Although microvascular decompression is highly successful, it is not the appropriate treatment for everyone.
Anesthesia Risks
You’ll undergo general anesthesia during your microvascular decompression procedure. During the procedure, you’ll be monitored by an anesthesiologist to ensure that your anesthesia remains at appropriate levels and no side effects are experienced. After your surgery, the most common side effects are grogginess and confusion until the medication wears off. You may also experience nausea and vomiting, which are typically very short term. Early warning, facilitated by your care during recovery and in the ICU, can ensure that side effects are minimized.
Risks after Surgery
Sometimes, patients who have undergone microvascular decompression will later experience numbness on their face where the trigeminal nerve runs from temple to chin. Because of the close proximity of nerves within your skull, you may also experience side effects related to the areas controlled by those nerves. This can include dizziness and partial or total hearing loss. That happens in very few cases, however. And the great news is that the loss of sensation and hearing typically only lasts for a short time.
Minimizing Your Microvascular Decompression Risks
You can take an active role in your procedure, its preparation and your recovery. First, ensure that you follow all of your doctor’s orders for what you can and cannot do before and after surgery. Second, do not eat after midnight on the night prior to your surgery, as anesthesia mixed with food may lower its effectiveness and raise the possibility of nausea and vomiting. Third, ensure you get plenty of rest after your procedure. Your strength will have to be rebuilt gradually. And finally, don’t push yourself to resume all of your normal life activities until a doctor has cleared you to do so. You won’t want to push too hard, too fast and experience a serious setback.
Microvascular decompression surgery is a highly effective way of ending debilitating pain associated with trigeminal neuralgia and other facial nerve disorders. Although you may face some risks, the benefits of this procedure most often outweigh those risks and can provide healing when other procedures or treatments have been ineffective.
