Percutaneous Radiofrequency retrogasserian rhizotomy for trigeminal neuralgia

One hundred and twenty-seven patients with trigeminal neuralgia were treated by percutaneous radiofrequency rhizotomy after the drug treatment had failed or various side effects were noted. Majority of patients were in the age group of 51-60 years and predominantly males. Pain was on the right side in 89 and on the left in 38 patients. Sixty-three percent of cases had pain in the distribution of maxillary and mandibular division. The procedure was done under local anaesthesia with a success rate of 86%.This is an excellent procedure with a low cost, fewer complications [16.5%], low morbidity and no mortality