Abstract No. : ABS2860 : Comparative evaluation of conventional versus pulsed versus combined radiofrequency ablation for trigeminal neuralgia

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Trigeminal neuralgia is a manifestation of orofacial neuropathic pain restricted to one or more divisions of the trigeminal nerve. This prospective study was conducted to compare the safety and efficacy of conventional versus pulsed versus combined radiofrequency ablation for treatment. METHODS: The patients were divided in three groups of 20 each. In group I (n=20), patients were administered fluoroscope guided conventional radiofrequency ablation at 75°C and thermal lesion was applied for 270 seconds. In group II (n=20), patients were administered fluoroscope guided pulsed radiofrequency ablation for 10 minutes at 45 V, with a pulse width of 10 ms and a pulse frequency of 4 Hz at 42°C. In group III (n=20), patients were administered fluoroscopic guided conventional radiofrequency ablation followed by pulsed radiofrequency ablation. Patients were followed up for a period of three months. RESULTS: Pain scores (visual analogue scale) were found comparable between the three groups at all the time points (p>0.05). Vital parameters like heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressures were also comparable amongst the three groups at different time points and showed no statistical significance (p>0.05). None of the patients reported any serious complications. CONCLUSION: All the three procedures, conventional radiofrequency, pulsed radiofrequency and combined conventional and pulsed radiofrequency are safe and effective techniques for management of patients with trigeminal neuralgia, with comparable efficacy. All the techniques provide good pain relief and improvement in disability to the patients.