Peripheral neurectomies in the treatement of trigeminal neuralgia

Abstract

Introduction: Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a commonly diagnosed neurosensory disease of orofacial region involving the fifth cranial nerve. Patients on multiple drug therapies want drug cessation and alternative strategies. Aim: The study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of peripheral neurectomy as a surgical procedure in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. Materials and Methods A retrospective study was designed to study the effectiveness of peripheral neurectomy in the patients of trigeminal neuralgia: The factors analyzed were the demographic details of the patients, side of involvement, branch of nerve involved and procedure used, postoperative complications, prognosis and any additional procedure used in cases of recurrences were recorded. Results: Our study had 7 males and 13 females ranging from 45 to 68 years of age. Inferior alveolar nerve was involved 11times (55%). The second division (infra -orbital) was afflicted 5 times inpatients (25%), second and third division were involved in only in one patient (5%). Infra-orbital and supra-orbital involvement was in 3 patients (15%).The right side was affected in 13patients (65%), while left side in 7 patients (35%). The mean follow up period was 3.1 years (range 2-5 years). 13 patients (65%) showed good outcome Conclusion: Peripheral neurectomy is one of the oldest, minimal invasive forms of surgery, well tolerated by the patient and can be done under local anesthesia.

Keywords

• neurectomy
• recurrence
• trigeminal neuralgia