Turkish Neurosurgery
Evaluation of the Retrogasserian Opioid Application in the Treatment of Idiopathic Trigeminal Neuralgia
Mustafa Ilik1, Faik Ilik2
1Farabi Hospital, Neurosurgery, Konya,
2KTO Karatay University, Medicana Hospital, Neurology, Konya ,
DOI: 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.22604-18.2
Aim:The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical outcomes of the retrogasserian opioid application in patients with type 1 trigeminal neuralgia.Material and Methods:A total of 37 patients (12 male, 25 female; average age 56.2 ± 5.4 years) who were administered retrogasserian opioid due to type 1 trigeminal neuralgia between February 2012 and May 2015 were included in the study. A visual analogue scale was used to evaluate pain at the last preoperative and postoperative visits (median follow-up period, 13 months; mean follow-up period, 15.6 months). All parameters were analysed using Wilcoxon signed-rank and Mann-Whitney U tests, with P < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results:Visual analogue scale scores of all 37 patients were significantly improved in the postoperative period. The average visual analogue scale scores were 7.9 ± 0.62 preoperatively and 2.9 ± 0.5 postoperatively. All changes were statistically significant.Conclusion:Percutaneous retrogasserian opioid injection in type 1 trigeminal neuralgia is an effective and safe method of pain control.
Corresponding author : Mustafa Ilik