Objective: To analyze the average age, sex, side of involvement, most affected branch in trigeminal neuralgia and efficacy of various treatment modalities used in primary centers which are lack in advance neurosurgical facilities.

Method: Patient’s record of our center was reviewed and data of trigeminal neuralgia patients was collected from January 2001 to December 2010.

Results: Total 484 patients of idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia were treated in 10 year period with slight female predominance (52.68%). Right side was involved in 60.95% patients. Most affected branch was inferior alveolar nerve (53.47%). Seasonal variation was also documented. Medicinal treatment, absolute alcohol nerve block and peripheral neurectomy were the treatment used and average pain relief period documented as 23.13 months, 18.40 months and 32.23 months respectively.

Conclusion: We concluded that gradual increase from medicinal to surgical intervention is the best approach to manage facial neuralgia. In primary centers peripheral neurectomies can be considered as the best treatment option which is minimal invasive, and done under LA with predictable results. Moreover it can be performed easily in elder, short life span as well as in unfit patients.

Keywords: Trigeminal Neuralgia; Peripheral neurectomy; Alcohol nerve block; Facial neuralgia.

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Dr Fahad Ahmad

MDS, Registrar Surgeon,  Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Al-Jahra Specialty Dental Center & Hospital,  Ministry Of Health, Kwt.

Ex-Resident, Punjab Govt. Dental College & Hospital, Amritsar, India