Microvascular decompression is used to treat very painful or intensely spasming facial nerves that haven't responded to medication. It is usually used to treat trigeminal neuralgia, glossopharyngeal neuralgia, or hemifacial spasm.
These conditions can happen when a vein or artery compresses (pushes on) one of your facial nerves. In microvascular compression, a surgeon will move the vein or artery away from the facial nerve and insert a tiny pad to keep them apart.