Anchoring of a mental nerve stimulator for treatment of facial neuropathic pain: a case illustration.

INTRODUCTION: Mental nerve stimulation is recognised as a treatment option for neuropathic facial pain. Historically however, lead migration across the mobile temporomandibular joint has prevented this procedures utility. METHODS: We describe a new method of insertion and anchoring of a mental nerve stimulator for the management of refractory neuropathic pain in the distribution of the mental nerve. We anchored the stimulator lead to the mandibular body. RESULTS: Significant analgesic effect was achieved and no lead migration had occurred at 1 year post-operatively. CONCLUSIONS: This report describes in detail the procedure of mental nerve stimulator insertion, with a novel technique of mandibular anchoring of the lead.