Clinical Outcome of Percutaneous Radiofrequency Rhizotomy for Trigeminal Neuralgia at a Tertiary Care Hospital.

Background: Trigeminal neuralgia is a syndrome typicallyconsidered by involuntarypain in the distribution of Fifth nerve that are activated by non-noxious stimuli. Medical Treatment with anticonvulsant remained the 1st line of treatment. If the disease becomes non responsive, there are numerous surgical options like MVD or minimally invasive percutaneous lesioning of the trigeminal nerve, such as glycerol rhizolysis, Balloon Compression, Radiofrequency Rhizotomy. Objective: To determine efficacy of percutaneous Radiofrequency Rhizotomy for trigeminal neuralgia in terms of early pain relief in a tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: 62 patients with refractory trigeminal neuralgia or lancinating, recurrent episodes of pain in the distribution ofOphthalmic (V1) andMandibular (V3) branches of the trigeminal nerve, not responsive to 6 months of conservative treatment were included. Result: In our study population, 62 included patients were had mean age 56.08 ± 7.39 years. 44 patients (71%) were male. Our treatment was effective in 58 patients (93.5%), while there was recurrence among 4 (6.5%) only. Conclusion: It is concluded that the efficacy of percutaneous Radiofrequency Rhizotomy for trigeminal neuralgia in terms of complete relief of pain with intact sensations in treated branch region is excellent (93.5%).