Controlled thermocoagulation in trigeminal neuralgia.

Results of 280 radiofrequency lesions on 229 patients with trigeminal neuralgia are presented with three months to eight years (average 3.8 years) follow up. The patients were aged from 18-91 years. There was a high overall success rate of 94%. The complication rate has been low, with sensory paraesthesiae the commonest (15%) and cranial nerve palsies very rare (2.4%) compared to other reported series.