Long-term Outcome of Trigeminal Nerve Block with Alcohol for the Treatment of Trigeminal Neuralgia

Abstract

Background: Recently trigeminal nerve block with alcohol (TnbA) for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia (TN) has come to be known as a procedure with a short-term effect and high complications. There has been none of report about long-term outcome of TnbA for TN. The objective of this prospective study for the long-term results of TnbA was to analyse the pain free duration and complication after the administration of blocks and compare them in the first block and subsequent blocks. Methods: From March 1996 to May 2005, 304 consecutive patients with primary trigeminal neuralgia were treated with TnbA including supraorbital nerve block, infraorbital nerve block, maxillary nerve (V2) block, mandibular nerve (V3) block, and V2 and V3 at the same time and were prospectively followed up every two months for 10 years. Results: The mean value of pain free duation of 1st, 2nd and 3rd TnbA were 43, 38 and 48 months, respectively using Kaplan-Meier analysis. The probability of pain recurrence in 1 and 3 years after the 1st, 2nd and 3rd blocks were 25%, 25%, 20% and 53%, 54%, 34%, respectively. The pain free durations of first and subsequent blocks were not statistically different. Complications were reported at 36 (11.8%), 5 (4.2%), and 0 in 1st, 2nd and 3rd blocks. Conclusions: TnbA showed the relatively long duration of pain free and low incidence of complications. Repeated TnbA has pain free duration as long as the 1st block and less complications as well. TnbA is a valuable treatment of TN as a percutaneous procedure. (Korean J Pain 2006; 19: 45-50)