Peripheral Neurectomy: An option for treating trigeminal neuralgia

Objectives: Trigeminal neuralgia is by far the most frequent facial neuralgia. The clinical hallmark is a paroxysm of pain, which is very intensive and can occur spontaneously or can be precipitated by sensory stimulation of certain areas in the face usually coinciding with pain localisation. Initially administration of anticonvulsant drugs is the treatment of choice. There are now a variety of other effective treatments, both pharmacologic and surgical, however none of them is a cure.
Objective is to discuss peripheral Neurectomy as treatment option.
Methods: Case series treated with pheripheral neurectomies.
Results: Long term good results are obtained with this treatment option.
Conclusions: Peripheral neurectomy seem to be associated with recurrence and the loss of sensation but easy to perform in OPD settings & cost effective.