The neurovascular conflict was described for the first time as potential reason of syndromes believed to be “essential” (idiopathic) till then in the 1960s and 1970s by some pioniers, like James Gardner and Peter Jannetta.
Actually in the 1920s Walter Dandy, during the rizotomy procedures for trigeminal neuralgia, observed and reported that arteries compressing and distorting the nerve were present in several cases. Despite his skills and courage, he did not attempt the vascular decompression instead of the usual lesional procedure.
Only Gardner and then Jannetta performed with success this innovative surgery and since then this operation – mainly owing to the optimal results – started spreading in the neurosurgical community, firstly in the U.S.A. and in the orient, later in the continent.
Nowadays the microvascular decompression (MVD) in neurovascular conflict syndromes is an adfirmed surgical procedure. Moreover – contrary to other neurosurgical conditions as intracranial aneurysms or benign tumors – MVD does not have equally effective therapuetical alternatives yet. MVD indeed is the only resolving treatment in neurovascular conflicts, while the other available treatments are symptomatic, not aiming to the root cause.
This is the reason why events like the present convention – strongly desired by Riccardo Draghi and Marcello D’Andrea and organized with the neurosurgical teams of Cotignola and Cesena – are always welcome and actual. Younger colleagues who want to learn this surgical technique will surely benefit from the event and more experienced neurosurgeons too, since exchanges and discussion can only enrich and improve ourselves. A continous updating on the operative techniques, indications, physiopathology of neurovascular conflict syndromes and on patients results is essential for a surgical technique which – instead of reducing over time – remains of primary importance and will probably be in further expansion.
Fabio Calbucci
Honorary Chairman
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