OROFACIAL PAIN
Cite this article:
Ngeow WC.
Obliterating foramina
following peripheral
neurectomies can
prolong remission
of neuralgia up to
10 years. Stoma Edu J.
2015;2(2):132-139.
OBLITERATING FORAMINA FOLLOWING
PERIPHERAL NEURECTOMIES CAN
PROLONG REMISSION OF NEURALGIA
UP TO 10 YEARS
Wei Cheong Ngeow*
*Department of Oro-Maxillofacial Surgical
and Medical Sciences
Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
BDS (Mal), FFDRCS (Ire), FDSRCS (Eng)
MDSc (Mal), PhD (Sheffield), FAMM
Received: October, 15, 2015
Accepted: November, 17, 2015
* Corresponding author:
Professor Dr. W.C. Ngeow,
Department of Oro-Maxillofacial Surgical
and Medical Sciences Surgery,
Faculty of Dentistry,University of Malaya,
50603 Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia.
Tel: 603-79674862
Fax: 603-79674534
e-mail: [email protected]
132
Abstract
Peripheral neurectomy is a post-ganglionic surgical procedure that involves the
alvusion of a peripheral branch of the trigeminal nerve after it exits the cranium. It
has been described as a simple, low-risk, repeatable surgery that can be applied
to the terminal branches of the trigeminal nerve for the control of trigeminal
neuralgia. However, one problem that arises is nerve regeneration, and hence the
recurrence of neuralgia. The use of a titanium screw to block peripheral nerves
from regenerating through various maxillofacial foramina has been described.
However, the longest period of pain relief has been reported to be up to 4 years
only. This article provides a historical overview of peripheral neurectomy, while at
the same time describing the possibility of achieving pain relief for up to 10 years
by blocking the regeneration of nerves through the insertion of a titanium screw
into their respective foramina.
Keywords: trigeminal neuralgia, neurectomy, titanium screw, peripheral nerve
regeneration
Introduction
Trigeminal neuralgia is defined as
“