Background: We describe our experience of the MVD in the typical trigeminal neuralgia and identify the prognostic factors.
Method: A retrospective studio of 89 cases between 1995-2005 was used. The prognostic significant data evaluated were demographics data; duration of neuralgia; the affected divisions involved; surgical findings; used material for the decompression. The data analysis was made with the chi(2) test.
Results: We have found an excellent outcome in 77% one year later. The age and the antecedent of hypertension disease were not statistically significant. A poor outcome was observed for: female sex, neuralgia lasting longer than two years, the three divisions involved, venous compression and the muscle used as surgical material.
Conclusions: The MVD is an effective and reliable technique. The use of muscle is not recommended. When the three trigeminal divisions are involved we should choose another technique.