ABSTRACT
Objective. To present and evaluate the surgical results of microvascular decompression in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia, glossopharyngeal neuralgia and hemifacial spasm. Material and Method. We present 15 patients with compressive syndrome of cranial nerve during a period of 6 years: 11 patients with trigeminal neuralgia, 2 patients with glossopharyngeal neuralgia and 2 patients with hemifacial spasm. Results. We achieved total improvement in 8 patients and partial in 4. The most frequent symptom after surgery was hypoesthesia in V2 in patients with trigeminal neuralgia. 3 patients presented temporary facial paresis. Conclusion. Microvascular decompression is an effective treatment with low morbidity in patients with compressive syndrome of cranial nerves. The goal of treatment should be complete disappearance of symptoms.