Objective To analyze characteristics associated with long-term pain relief after microvascular decompression (MVD) for trigeminal neuralgia (TGN). Description of associated morbidity and complication avoidance. Methods One hundred sixty-five patients with TGN underwent 171 MVD surgeries at the authors’ institution. Patient characteristics and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) datasets were obtained through the hospital’s archiving system. Patients provided information about pre- and post-operative pain characteristics and neurologic outcome. Favorable outcome was defined as a Barrow Neurological Institute (BNI) pain intensity score of I to III with post-operative improvement of I grade. Results Type of TGN pain with purely paroxysmal pain (p = 0.0202*) and TGN classification with classical TGN (p = 0.0372*) were the only significant predictors for long-term pain relief. Immediate pain relief occurred in 90.6% of patients with a recurrence rate of 39.4% after 3.5 ± 4.6 years. MRI reporting of a neurovascular conflict had a low negative predictive value of 39.6%. Mortality was 0% with major complications observed in 8.2% of patients. Older age was associated with lower complication rates (p = 0.0009***). Re-MVD surgeries showed improved long-term pain relief in four out of five cases. Conclusions MVD is a safe and effective procedure even in the elderly. It has the unique potential to cure TGN if performed on a regular basis, and if key surgical steps are respected. Early MVD should be offered in case of medical treatment failure and paroxysmal pain symptoms. The presence of a neurovascular conflict on MRI is not mandatory. In case of recurrence, re-MVD is a good treatment option that should be discussed with patients. Highlights • Long-term analysis of pain relief after MVD. • Positive predictors for outcome: classical TGN and purely paroxysmal pain. • Presence of neurovascular conflict in MRI is not mandatory for MVD surgery. • Analysis of complications and surgical nuances for avoidance. • MVD is a safe procedure also in the elderly.

Purpose To compare percutaneous balloon compression (PBC) and radiofrequency thermocoagulation (RFTC) for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. Methods This was a retrospective single-center analysis of data from 230 patients with trigeminal neuralgia who underwent 202 PBC (46%) and 234 RFTC (54%) from 2002 to 2019. Comparison of demographic data and trigeminal neuralgia characteristics between procedures as well as assessment of 1) initial pain relief by an improved Barrow Neurological Institute (BNI) pain intensity scale of I–III; 2) recurrence-free survival of patients with a follow-up of at least 6 months by Kaplan-Meier analysis; 3) risk factors for failed initial pain relief and recurrence-free survival by regression analysis; and 4) complications and adverse events. Results Initial pain relief was achieved in 353 (84.2%) procedures and showed no significant difference between PBC (83.7%) and RFTC (84.9%). Patients who suffered from multiple sclerosis (odds ratio 5.34) or had a higher preoperative BNI (odds ratio 2.01) showed a higher risk of not becoming pain free. Recurrence-free survival in 283 procedures was longer for PBC (44%) with 481 days compared to RFTC (56%) with 421 days (p=0.036) but without statistical significance. The only factors that showed a significant influence on longer recurrence-free survival rates were a postoperative BNI ≤ II (P=<0.0001) and a BNI facial numbness score ≥ 3 (p = 0.009). The complication rate of 22.2% as well as zero mortality showed no difference between the two procedures (p=0.162). Conclusion Both percutaneous interventions led to a comparable initial pain relief and recurrence-free survival with a low and comparable probability of complications. An individualized approach, considering the advantages and disadvantages of each intervention, should guide the decision-making process. Prospective comparative trials are urgently needed.

Purpose: To compare percutaneous balloon compression (PBC) and radiofrequency thermocoagulation (RFTC) for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia (TGN). Methods: Retrospective single center analysis of data from 230 patients with TGN that underwent 202 PBC (46%) and 234 RFTC (54%) from 2002 to 2019. Comparison of demographic data and TGN characteristics between procedures as well as assessment of 1) initial pain relief (IPR) by an improved Barrow Neurological Institute (BNI) pain intensity scale of I-III; 2) recurrence free survival (RFS) of patients with a follow-up of at least six months by Kaplan-Meier analysis; 3) risk factors for failed IPR and RFS by regression analysis and 4) complications and adverse events. Results: IPR was achieved in 353 (84.2%) procedures and showed no significant difference between PBC (83.7%) and RFTC (84.9%). Patients who suffered from multiple sclerosis (Odds ratio 5.34) or had a higher preoperative BNI (Odds ratio 2.01) showed a higher risk of not becoming pain free. RFS in 283 procedures was longer for PBC (44%) with 481 days compared to RFTC (56%) with 421 days (p=0.036) but without statistical significance. The only factor that showed a significant influence on RFS rates was a postoperative BNI ≤ II (P=<0.0001). The complication rate of 22.2% as well as zero mortality showed no difference between the two procedures (p=0.162). Conclusion: Both percutaneous interventions lead to a comparable IPR and RFS with a low and comparable probability of complications. An individualized approach, considering the advantages and disadvantages of each intervention should guide the decision-making process.