Work

Optimal Patient Positioning for Microvascular Decompression of Trigeminal Neuralgia Utilizing the “Arrowhead” Technique: A Technical Report

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Microvascular decompression (MVD) is a neurosurgical operation used to treat trigeminal neuralgia (TN). The surgery is performed through a retrosigmoid approach, where a Teflon pledget is placed in between the offending vessel (most commonly the superior cerebellar artery) and trigeminal nerve. The surgery is performed within the superior aspect of the cerebellopontine angle (CPA) through a small working corridor that is triangulated by the petrous bone and tentorium. Patient positioning is the foundation to accessing this corridor and performing a successful operation. This article provides a detailed guide on the positioning steps of the park bench position typically employed at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC) in Colton, CA, USA. We then review pertinent surgical anatomy in a MVD for trigeminal neuralgia and describe the "Arrowhead" technique to perform this operation.

Source: Cureus

DOI: 10.7759/cureus.75966

Authors: Tyler E Rice-Canetto, Louis Reier, Mohammad Arshad, Michael Schiraldi, Javed Siddiqi

Institutions: Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, Riverside University Health System - Medical Center, Desert Regional Medical Center, California University of Science and Medicine

Language: English

Topic: Trigeminal Neuralgia and Treatments

Subfield: Pathology and Forensic Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W4405538404