Sensory and masticatory complications after surgical treatment for trigeminal neuralgia

Objectives: To determine sensory and masticatory complications after balloon compression as treatment for trigeminal neuralgia in a sample of Brazilian patients, with a follow-up of 3 years.

Methods: We evaluated 54 patients with trigeminal neuralgia that completed the period of study with a functional masticatory (RDC/TMD and EDOF questionnaires) and sensitive (heat, cold, pain and tactile) examinations.

Results: From 54 patients, 18 (33.3%) had masticatory complaints before surgery, 23 (42.6%) after 7 days, 16 (29.6%) after 6 months, 8 (14.8%) after 1 year and 9 (16.7%) after 3 years. This data show that until 1 year the number of patients with these complaints was reducing but stabilized after 3 years (p=0.006). Mandibular mobility had transient compromise after the procedure (p=0.78). All sensory modalities were affected by the procedure, and tended to pre-operative values during time. Emotional stress and prevalence of body pain and headache were transient after surgery, but initial TMD remained even after 3 years which suggests that especial attention for rehabilitation is necessary.

Conclusion: These data indicate that 6 months is the enough period for post-operative evaluation after balloon compression as treatment for trigeminal neuralgia but support the necessity of a complete evaluation including functional and sensitive aspects during all post-operative evaluations. Masticatory complaints are common and TMD persisted. They must be considered during the patientxs assessment for pain treatment.