We are patients living with Trigeminal Neuralgia, here for your support.

MVD's

Information

For members who either have had, are having or considering having an MVD! Somewhere where those having had MVD's can share their experiences with those who are considering getting this done.

Location: subject-specific group
Members: 252
Latest Activity: on Monday

4 members like this

Overview

Microvascular Decompression (MVD) is a surgical procedure that relieves abnormal compression of a cranial nerve. It is performed to treat trigeminal neuralgia, vagoglossopharyngeal neuralgia, and hemifacial spasm. These conditions are often caused by an artery or vein compressing the nerve root as it leaves the brainstem. When compressed, normal nerve impulses can recruit nearby nerve fibers and send faulty messages. Medications often provide relief to patients with these conditions, but when medications become ineffective or cause serious side effects, one treatment option is MVD.
What is MVD?

MVD is a surgical procedure to relieve the symptoms (pain, muscle twitching) caused by compression of a nerve by an artery or vein. MVD involves surgically opening the skull (craniotomy) and exposing the nerve at the base of the brainstem to insert a tiny sponge between the compressing vessel and the nerve. This sponge isolates the nerve from the pulsating effect and pressure of the blood vessel.

Trigeminal neuralgia is an irritation of the fifth cranial nerve causing severe pain that usually affects one side of the face, normally in the forehead, cheek, jaw, or teeth (Fig. 1). To treat trigeminal neuralgia, a sponge is placed between the trigeminal nerve and the superior cerebellar artery or a branch of the petrosal vein. By removing the compression, the painful symptoms are relieved.
Who is a candidate for MVD?

You may be a candidate for MVD if you have:

* trigeminal neuralgia that is not well controlled with medication and you desire minimal to no facial numbness that may be associated with other treatments such as percutaneous stereotactic radiofrequency rhizotomy (PSR) or glycerol injection
* facial pain isolated in the ophthalmic division or in all three trigeminal divisions
* facial pain recurrence after a previous percutaneous or radiosurgery procedure

Because MVD involves the use of general anesthesia and brain surgery, patients with other medical conditions or who are in poor health may not be candidates. MVD is not successful in treating facial pain caused by multiple sclerosis. Because of the low risk of hearing loss, MVD may not be suitable for patients who have hearing loss in the other ear.

MVD Surgical Risks:

- Surgical Wound Infection with Lasting Pain, including menengitis.

- Cerebral Spinal Fluid Leaks

- Anesthesia Dolorosa -- burning pain underlying facial tactile numbness

- Parasthesia -- an itchy, crawly sensation combined with surface numbness

- Facial Numbness -- loss of sensation without other sensory effects

- Partial Facial Paralysis

· Loss of Hearing (rare, and only with MVD)

· Loss of the Tearing Reflex of the Eye, with a Risk of Ulceration to the Cornea (also MVD)

· Surgical Adhesions and Arachnoiditis

· Central Nervous System Fluid Leak (rare, and only with MVD)

· Differentiation Pain (caused by surgical interruption of connections between peripheral nerve endings and the central nervous system).

Imagery of MVD:

The following YouTube link provides an unusually clear and well explained description of what is done in a complex MVD for Geniculate Neuralgia and face pain. Though graphic in detail, it offers one of the better descriptions for what actually occurs in MVD, and how small a place this area near the brain stem actually is, to work. [R.A.L.]

See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7fUqg2aEkc

Discussion Forum

Approved for surgery in 24 days :/

Started by PrincessParsons. Last reply by crashgirl on Monday. 4 Replies 0 Likes

Hi everyone. I have finally been approved for MVD surgery!! I am truly the most excited I have been since I found out I was pregnant 6 years ago!! Now, after a few hours the realization has set in…Continue

Questions about preparing for surgery

Started by tinah276. Last reply by Mimi May 9. 162 Replies 6 Likes

Was there anything you wish you would have done beforehand? Any questions you would advise asking the neurosurgeon? I was thinking about freezing a bunch of meals ahead of time for the family to…Continue

Moderator

Two weeks post-op MVD...question Ear fullness?

Started by Mimi. Last reply by Mimi May 3. 12 Replies 0 Likes

Well yesterday marked two weeks post op....I'm well, lots of resting as this week my energy levels are way lower than the first week. First week must have been an adrenalin rush ..lolStaples came out…Continue

Eye problem following MVD

Started by suzy1. Last reply by LaDonna J. Young Apr 23. 2 Replies 1 Like

Hi everyone, just a quick discussion to see if anyone else has had problems with their eyes following MVD surgery. I'm nearly 9 weeks post op now and pretty much everything has gone really well for…Continue

View All

Comment Wall

Comment

You need to be a member of MVD's to add comments!

Comment by Notafraid on April 5, 2013 at 10:38pm: Mimi, I recovered quickly from my surgery. I did have a headache for the first couple of days, caused by some air that got into the brain area (normal for mvd surgery). The best part of my four day stay in the hospital was the spectacular dream I had about magical cupcakes. Unforgettable! Have faith. You will be alright one way or another. Compared to what you have been going through, things are about to look up. Takes some patience and hope, but you have that.

Comment by lgunter on April 4, 2013 at 6:55pm: mimi your kids should do fine. Mine are 11, 8, and 6. They helped me so very much!! I had problem with balance and they would let me hold their shoulder to balance. They started physical therapy the next day after surgery, which I did not know about. I was quiet "drunk" walking. The nerve they work of is next ot the nerve for balance, dont be scared if you are a little off balance.

Moderator Comment by Mimi on April 4, 2013 at 6:52pm: Thanks lgunter & Victoria.

Comment by Victoria Miera on April 4, 2013 at 2:58pm: Mimi, After my surgery in 2008 it took me 6 days to kind of wake up. the doctor told me it would be only three days in the hospital. Again I was there for 6 days, once home my children had to help me for 6 weeks. I was then able to move around on my own but forgert a lot of things. A year later my pain came back. I have a lot of problems still. I want another surgery but have to lose the weight from all the medication I have been on. (gained 70ilbs) But once I lose the wieght I will have another surgry again. I wish you all the luck. As for your chidren just talk openly about the surgery needing help when you get home and being understand with you. My children 11,14,16 and 19 They are stronger then I thought they could be.

Moderator Comment by Mimi on April 4, 2013 at 2:13pm: Thanks Tree, I have already shown photos and explained things. Both of my girls aged 19 & 15 have been in hospital environments and seen some not so nice things (family members) they know what to expect as best as possible!

Comment by lgunter on April 4, 2013 at 10:20am: I had my surgery 1/22/13, I was hoping to be off neurontin, it was just increased to 800 mg TID (three times a day). My neurologist said that the surgery was to keep you from so many mountains of pain and to keep you in the valley. I am still having tired spells, but my pain does not to be so intense. I still have pulsating headachs right in the top of my head every once in a while. My hair is growing fast on that side, I had my hair thinned on the other side so you can't tell about the thickness. The surgery was rough the first night, and had weakness and uncordinated for a few weeks. I had to have help walking for a few weeks.

Comment by Tree69 on April 4, 2013 at 9:18am: Mimi please prepare your children for what you might look like after surgery my son at 16 was horrified at the hole marks at my temple that made me look like Frankenstein from where they screw your head to a halo and strap your head down to a board. My surgery lasted 4 hrs. Went in to surgery at 9 AM. I was awake and in my hospital room coherenant at about 4 or 5 PM. I 1st woke in icu recovery earlier than that. I have had several surgeries before and I always wake up really quickly after surgery. This seems to be true for most people it will repeat for each surgery.
Many wishes for a truly successful surgery, Tree

Comment by HCal on April 4, 2013 at 12:06am: I recently went back and looked at conversations I had with friends via Facebook while I was in the hospital from my first mvd and it was jibberish. Even three days later because of the pain meds. It's pretty funny now because I felt like I made total sense at the time.

Moderator Comment by Mimi on April 3, 2013 at 11:47pm: Thanks Red & HCal,
It's different for everyone, I just wanted an idea..the hubby and kids were wondering! :)

Comment by HCal on April 3, 2013 at 10:59pm: Mimi: I'm not sure how long it took me to "wake up" but it was quite a bit after that before I was fully coherent. I feel like I was out of it longer with my first mvd. I was really not coherent for that first entire day with the first mvd, and then every time they gave me the iv pain meds I'd be out of it again for a good while. I was more agitated after my second mvd but I feel like I was with it more quickly. Maybe a couple of hours to a half a day. It's hard to remember exactly. Anesthesia makes me feel like $&:@ for a couple months after being put under though. I try to avoid it at all cost. I was overly emotional while in icu after both surgeries, and my nurses told me that was more common with women for some reason, so be aware that may be a possibility. They can give you Xanax to relax you if that happens. If I think of anything else pertaining to waking up from the surgery I will sure let you know. I hope everything goes smoothly for you and you snap right back to it quickly and pain free!!!