Brief report: the long-term outcome of mandibular nerve block with alcohol for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia

Anesth Analg. 2010 Aug;111(2):550-3. doi: 10.1213/ANE.0b013e3181e4204c. Epub 2010 Jun 28.

Abstract

Ninety-eight patients received 160 mandibular nerve (V3) blocks with alcohol for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia in this prospective study. According to the Kaplan-Meier analysis, the probabilities of remaining pain free for 1, 2, 3, and 7 years after the procedures were 90.4%, 69%, 53.5%, and 33%, respectively. There was no significant difference in the probability of pain-free duration and complications between patients with repeat versus single V3 block with alcohol. We conclude that single and repeat V3 alcohol block for trigeminal neuralgia can provide long-lasting pain relief.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Ethanol / administration & dosage*
  • Ethanol / adverse effects
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Injections
  • Kaplan-Meier Estimate
  • Male
  • Mandible / innervation*
  • Middle Aged
  • Nerve Block / adverse effects
  • Nerve Block / methods*
  • Pain Measurement
  • Proportional Hazards Models
  • Prospective Studies
  • Radiography, Interventional
  • Recurrence
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Trigeminal Neuralgia / diagnostic imaging
  • Trigeminal Neuralgia / therapy*

Substances

  • Ethanol