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Published on: July 5, 2011
Efficacy of Internal Neurolysis for Trigeminal Neuralgia without Vascular Compression
Ming-Wu Li1, Xiao-Feng Jiang2, Chaoshi Niu3
1The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Anhui Provincial Hospital, Anhui Provincial Stereotactic Neurological Institute, Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease - Neurosurgery, Anhui, Republic of China.
Background And Objective:
Trigeminal neuralgia is a common neurologic disease that seriously impacts a patient's quality of life. We retrospectively investigated the efficacy and safety of internal neurolysis (nerve combing) for trigeminal neuralgia without vascular compression.
Patients And Methods:
This study was a retrospective review of all patients with trigeminal neuralgia who were admitted between January 2014 and February 2019. A subgroup of 36 patients had no vascular compression at surgery and underwent internal neurolysis. Chart review and postoperative follow-up were performed to assess the overall outcomes of internal neurolysis.
Results:
Thirty-six patients were identified, with a mean age of 44.89 ± 7.90 (rang: 31-65) years and a disease duration of 5.19 ± 2.61 years. The immediate postoperative pain relief (Barrow Neurological Institute [BNI] pain score of I or II) rate was 100%. The medium- to long-term pain relief rate was 91.7%. Three patients experienced recurrence. Facial numbness was the primary postoperative complication. Four patients with a score of III on the BNI numbness scale immediately after surgery had marked improvement at 6 months. No serious complications occurred.
Conclusion:
Internal neurolysis is a safe and effective treatment for trigeminal neuralgia without vascular compression or clear responsible vessels.
