gms | German Medical Science

58. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie e. V. (DGNC)

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie (DGNC) e. V.

26. bis 29.04.2007, Leipzig

Microvascular decompression (MD) for trigeminal neuralgia (TN) in the elderly: Is it feasible?

Mikrovaskuläre Dekompression bei Trigeminusneuralgie im höheren Alter? – Ist dies sinnvoll?

Meeting Abstract

  • corresponding author H. Kränzlein - Universitätsklinikum Eppendorf, Klinik und Poliklinik für Neurochirurgie, Hamburg
  • R. Borowka - Universitätsklinikum Eppendorf, Klinik und Poliklinik für Neurochirurgie, Hamburg
  • P. Horn - Universitätsklinikum Eppendorf, Klinik und Poliklinik für Neurochirurgie, Hamburg
  • M. Westphal - Universitätsklinikum Eppendorf, Klinik und Poliklinik für Neurochirurgie, Hamburg
  • J. Regelsberger - Universitätsklinikum Eppendorf, Klinik und Poliklinik für Neurochirurgie, Hamburg

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie. 58. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie e.V. (DGNC). Leipzig, 26.-29.04.2007. Düsseldorf: German Medical Science GMS Publishing House; 2007. DocSO.03.05

The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at: http://www.egms.de/en/meetings/dgnc2007/07dgnc225.shtml

Published: April 11, 2007

© 2007 Kränzlein et al.
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Outline

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Objective: To evaluate the efficacy, outcome and safety of MD in patients over 70 years suffering from TN.

Methods: A total of 65 Patients treated between 1998 - 2006 for TN were unrolled in the present study. Patients were divided in two groups: age<70yrs. (group 1: 44 pts; mean age+SD: 60+7 yrs.) and age>70yrs. (group 2: 21 pts; mean age+SD: 75+4 yrs.) Patient groups were compared in terms of clinical presentation, duration of symptoms, intra-; perioperative complications and functional outcome.

Results: Mean duration of symptoms was 7+5 yrs. (mean+SD) in group 1 and duration of symptoms varied between 2 months and 13 years (mean+SD: 4+4 yrs.) in group 2. Karnofsky-Index (KI) in group 1 was 100 whereas KI in group 2 was 90. Eight (38%) patients in group 2 suffered from cardiovascular risk factors, i.e. were considered high-risk patients (ASA score >2). There was no severe adverse event observed in any of the patient groups during the operation. Duration of postoperative intensive care treatment did not differ between groups. Clinical outcome was favorable in 98% of patients in Group 1 whereas complete pain relief was observed in 85% of patients in Group 2. 3 pts suffered of facial numbness, 2 pts of transient facial palsy in group 1. In group 2, 3 pts complained of facial numbness.

Conclusions: Age seems not to have an impact on clinical outcome in patients treated with MD in TN. Therefore MD for TN represents the treatment modality of choice in patients older the 70yrs. without severe medical comorbidity.