Quality of life after trigeminal nerve block in refractory trigeminal neuralgia: A retrospective cohort study and literature review

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the effect of trigeminal nerve block (TNB) on patients’ quality of life (QOL) 15 days after the procedure in patients with refractory TN. Methods This retrospective observational cohort study involved patients receiving TNB (levobupivacaine, clonidine, corticosteroid) between 2014 and 2018 at a postoperative pain clinic in France. Change in QOL from Day 0 (before block) to Day 15 was assessed according to SF-12. Results 21 patients (62 ± 14 y) were included in the study. Most patients (71%) were referred following surgery or dentistry. Of the 9 patients (43%) who exhibited >10% increase in SF-12 scores and so were deemed responders, SF12-physical and SF12-mental were increased by mean differences of 17 and 9 points, respectively. The mean duration of block lasted 15 ± 59 days (range 1 to 90 days) and no severe adverse effects were observed. Conclusion Improved QOL was observed in approximately 50% of patients with trigeminal neuralgia (TN) two weeks after specific nerve block. The technique was easy to administer and well accepted by the patients.