Treatment of primary trigeminal neuralgia with radiofrequency thermocoagulation:A report of 850 cases

Objective To evaluate the clinical effects of radiofrquency thermocoagulation on primary trigeminal neuralgia. Methods All patients were kept dorsal position and with local anesthesia. When the gasserian ganglions were punctured by the transfixion pin using anterior approach of Hartel's technique, radiofrequency lesions were performed with the thermocontrol in 65℃-78℃and maintained in 60-90 s. Results Of 850 patients, pain has been eliminated in 732 cases, alleviated in 103 cases, not changed in 15 cases,the total effective rate was 98%. The complications were in 131 cases(15.4%) ,which were recovery in a few days. Conclusion Radiofrequency thermocoagulation is an effective and safe way for treatment of primary trigeminal neuralgia.