RECURRENT TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA - PERCUTANEOUS RETROGASSERIAN GLYCEROL RHIZOTOMY IS A SAFE AND SIMPLE TREATMENT

Dr. Kodeeswaran M; Dr. Ramesh V. G.; Dr. Jerin Evangelin

Volume : VIII, Issue : III, March - 2019

RECURRENT TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA - PERCUTANEOUS RETROGASSERIAN GLYCEROL RHIZOTOMY IS A SAFE AND SIMPLE TREATMENT

Dr. Kodeeswaran M, Dr. Ramesh V. G. , Dr. Jerin Evangelin

Abstract :

AIM: All the available modalities of treatment of trigeminal neuralgia have their fair share of recurrence and treatment of recurrent trigeminal neuralgia is a vexing problem. This study has been conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of percutaneous retrogasserian glycerol rhizotomy (PRGR) in the management of recurrent trigeminal neuralgia. MATERIALS AND METHODS:A prospective study was conducted on the patients with recurrent trigeminal neuralgia, after previous surgical or percutaneous procedures and uncontrolled with medical treatment. All of them underwent PRGR as out–patient or daycare procedure. The patients were followed up for any recurrence of pain. RESULTS: 11 cases of recurrent trigeminal neuralgia treated with PRGR over a two year period have been studied. The follow–up is between 9 and 24 months. None of the patients reported any recurrence of pain. CONCLUSION: PRGR is a relatively safe and simple day care procedure with a relatively lower long term failure rates. It has better acceptance for patients with recurrent trigeminal neuralgia after previous open surgical or percutaneous procedures.