Procedure description
A craniotomy for microvascular decompression is a procedure to treat trigeminal neuralgia. Trigeminal neuralgia is characterized by severe spasmodic episodes of lancinating pain which travels to one side of the face. Often it is related to an artery (the superior cerebellar artery) compressing the trigeminal nerve (5th cranial nerve which supplies sensation to the face) as it leaves the brainstem. Surgery involves moving the artery off the nerve, and placing a small ivalon sponge or a piece of teflon felt between the aftery and the nerve. The surgeon will close the dura, and may or may not elect to place a covering over the skull. Possible options for skull replacement are the patient's own bone, surgical cement, methylmethacrylate ( a type of hardened plastic), or titanium mesh. Next the scalp will be closed in layers.