Objective: To research and appraise the method and long-term effects of trigeminal neuralgia by the operation of retrogasserian combing.
Methods: From 1994 to 2000, fifty cases of trigeminal neuralgia were treated through posterior fossa microsurgery, 30 of which received both microvascular decompression and retrogasserian combing while 20 only by retrogasserian combing.
Results: Of the 50 cases, forty of trigeminal nerves were found to be compressed by arteries, while 28 of them were the superior cerebellar artery, and 12 the anterior inferior cerebellar artery. All the cases were cured through the operations. Fifty patients were followed up for 4 to 8 years, and then 2 recurrent patients were found and other 48 patients had no recurrence. Nine out of fifty patients have facial insensitivity, others facial sense perceptions are right.
Conclusions: The effect of the operation of retrogasserian combing is sure. This operation was applicable to any case of trigeminal neuralgia, especially to the cases that no vascular compression was found in the operations.