Advantages of trigeminal nucleotractotomy to treat cancer facial pain: a systematic review.

AIMS: This review aims to analyze the safety and efficacy of trigeminal nerve nucleotractotomy in cases of cancer facial pain suggestive of trigeminal neuralgia, considering the high risks associated with damage to important anatomical structures during the procedure, which may result in sensory and motor function loss, cardiorespiratory arrest, and death.

METHOD: A systematic literature review was conducted based on 160 articles selected from PubMed and screened using the PRISMA method, of which 7 articles were included. This is not a registered review.

RESULTS

Based on the 7 articles selected following the PRISMA methodology, a sample of 147 patients was included. However, data discrimination allowed for the analysis of only 45 patients and there was a significant pain management between them.

CONCLUSION

In oncological patients, who naturally have a shorter life expectancy due to their condition, studies have indicated that nucleotractotomy results in satisfactory improvements in pain relief and quality of life, but the available data is limited. This review was not registered.