Postoperative trigeminal neuropathy outcomes following surgery for tumors involving the trigeminal nerve.

OBJECTIVE

To observe the evolution and outcomes of postoperative trigeminal neuropathy following surgery of tumor involving the trigeminal nerve.

METHODS

A prospective observational study was conducted between October 2018 and February 2019 involving 25 patients with tumors confirmed to involve the trigeminal nerve during surgery by senior author. Pre- and postoperative trigeminal nerve function status and clinical data were recorded.

RESULTS

This study included 18 cases of meningioma and seven of trigeminal schwannoma. Among the meningioma cases, 55.6% of the patients reported facial sensory dysfunction before surgery, 33.3% presented ocular discomfort, and 5.6% had masticatory muscle atrophy. Postoperatively, all patients experienced facial paresthesia, 94.4% complained of eye dryness, and one (5.56%) exhibited keratitis. Additionally, one patient (5.56%) showed new-onset masticatory weakness. During follow-up, 50.0% of patients reported improvement in facial paresthesia, and one (5.56%) experienced deterioration. Eye dryness resolved in 35.3% of patients, and keratitis remission was observed in one patient. However, one patient (5.56%) developed neurotrophic keratitis. Overall, 55.6% of patients displayed mild masticatory weakness without muscle atrophy. In the cases of schwannoma, 28.6% of patients had facial paresthesia before surgery, 42.9% showed ocular discomfort, and one (14.3%) complained of masticatory dysfunction. Postoperatively, 85.7% of patients reported facial paresthesia and eye dryness, with one patient (16.7%) experiencing keratitis. During follow-up, 66.7% of patients demonstrated improvement in facial paresthesia, 28.6% showed eye dryness remission, and one patient (16.7%) recovered from keratitis. However, one patient (16.7%) developed new-onset neurotrophic keratitis. One patient (16.7%) experienced relief of masticatory dysfunction, but 42.9% reported mild deterioration. Another patient (14.3%) had facial anesthesia that had not improved.

CONCLUSION

Postoperative trigeminal neuropathy is a common complication with a high incidence rate and poor recovery outcomes after surgery for tumors involving the trigeminal nerve. When trigeminal nerve damage is unavoidable, it is essential to provide a multidisciplinary and careful follow-up, along with active management strategy, to mitigate the more severe effects of postoperative trigeminal neuropathy.