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Updated: Jul 2, 2026

Subcutaneous Trigeminal Nerve Field Stimulation for Refractory Facial Pain
Published on: May 10, 2017
Gabapentin for refractory idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia
Chandra Kant Pandey1, Namita Singh, Prabhat Kumar Singh
1Department of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow.
This case study presents a successful treatment for idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia using gabapentin. The medication effectively managed severe facial pain resistant to other therapies, offering a new option for trigeminal neuralgia patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a neuropathic pain disorder characterized by sudden, severe facial pain.
- Conventional treatments for TN include anticonvulsants like carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, and phenytoin, with variable efficacy.
Observation:
- A patient with idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia experienced severe pain in the maxillary branch distribution.
- This pain was resistant to standard pharmacotherapy, necessitating alternative treatment approaches.
Findings:
- Gabapentin was administered to manage the refractory trigeminal neuralgia pain.
- The treatment resulted in successful pain management without significant adverse effects.
Implications:
- Gabapentin represents a viable and effective therapeutic option for idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia, particularly when conventional treatments fail.
- This case highlights the importance of considering gabapentin in the management of refractory trigeminal neuralgia.
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