Trigeminal Nerve Block and Radio frequency Ablation

What is trigeminal neuralgia?

It is a disease of trigeminal nerve which gives nerve supply to the face. Trigeminal nerve has three branches- v1 which supplies the eyes and forehead, v2 which supplies the cheeks, nose and v3 which supplies the ear, inside of cheek, tongue, chin and lower lip.

What will be the patients complaints?

Orofacial pain, electric shock-like pain, on one side of the face, lasting from 2 seconds to 2 minutes.

What are all the treatment options?

Medical treatments in form of medicines usually works for initial episodes of pain, radiofrequency ablation of trigeminal ganglion, surgical treatment in form of microvascular decompression.

Which is the best mode of treatment?

Radiofrequency ablation of trigeminal ganglion is considered the best among all treatment options because it will decrease the pain immediately without undergoing an major surgeries.

How long the procedure will take?

The procedure will usually take 30 minutes and is done as day care procedure under local anaesthesia and sedation.

How is the procedure done?

The procedure is done in operation theatre under local anaesthesia and sedation, under monitoring. It is a small needle procedure in which the identification of the nerve is done using electric currents and then these currents are used to stop the transmission of pain signals from the affected nerve.

What are the post procedure recommendations?

Patients are advised to take the medicines regularly as prescribed and also to avoid chewing from the affected side for almost 3 months.