Percutaneous radiofrequency gangliotomy in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia and other facial pain.

Thirty-eight patients with facial pain in the trigeminal distribution have been treated by percutaneous coagulation of the trigeminal ganglion. Although use has been made of radiological criteria, it has been found from the physiological data obtained from stimulation that motor and sensory phenomena provide more information of electrode placement and that good pain relief results when these criteria are met. The advantages of the method are: (i) minimal operative risk; (ii) control of the extent of the lesion created; (iii) small sensibility deficit; (iv) minimal complication rate; (v) short hospitalization; (vi) satisfactory result in more than 90% of patients; (vii) no recurrence of pain to date.