[Gasserian differential thermocoagulation in trigeminal neuralgia: a medium-term follow up (author's transl)]

The results of thermo-coagulation have been evaluated in a series of 50 patients followed up from two to six years (average three years). Neuralgia disappeared in nearly 80 p. 100 of the cases (however this was obtained with a second operation in nine cases). The frequency of recurrences increase with time: 20 p. 100 during the first two years reaching 40 p. 100 after three years. They were more likely to occur if the post-operative sensory deficit is moderate. Complications directly related to the surgical technique were rare: some faded away relatively quickly (oculo-motor palsies less than 1 p. 100, masseter weakness 20 p. 100 in the first weeks). The only residual problems were related to sensory deficits: in general they were limited to a small cutaneous area and total anesthesia was never been observed. Although paresthesias were noted in 12 p. 100 of the cases, these usually were not really troublesome. Our conclusion, therefore, is that differential thermocoagulation appears to be the best surgical treatment for trigeminal neuralgia.