title: Surgical treatment of trigeminal neuralgia.
abstract: Patients who had uncontrolled pain with carbamazepine therapy and those who suffered adversely from its side effects were selected for this safe, simple and repeatable surgery. Pain-free periods were achieved for at least 2 years. Functional difficulty was not experienced in the affected numb areas. When it recurred, pain was less intense and was better controlled with a reduced dosage of carbamazepine. In four cases, after avulsion of the involved nerves, a suitable-sized titanium screw was inserted into the mental and infra-orbital foramina. Obturation of the foramen prevented nerve regeneration, which further prolonged the pain remission period.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, National University of Singapore. omslohhs@nus.edu.sg
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hong-Sai
mesh_terms: D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000772:Anesthesia, Local; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008340:Mandibular Nerve / Q000601:surgery; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D012008:Recurrence; D014277:Trigeminal Neuralgia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D002220:Carbamazepine