NEUROTOMY
Surgical Treatments for Facial Neuralgias

Disclaimer.

Introduction

One of the oldest treatments for TN severs the nerve near its root. This operation is not always effective. Furthermore, it may cause bad scarring on the nerve, which can make further treatments difficult, should they prove necessary. Neurotomy may also cause painful numbness of the face (anesthesia delorosa), which is almost impossible to treat.

Neurotomy appears to be a treatment which is going out of style. However, where MVD is not applicable, it is still occasionally used. It can be particularly useful for neuralgias of other facial nerves than the trigeminal nerve, since in these cases numbness is not a problem.

Positive Experiences.

"In 1997, after two MVD's over 10 yrs, I had the nerve severed, as it exits the brainstem, with no pain and no anesthesia dolorosa."

Mixed experiences

  "The operation has affected both of my eyes. I no longer have any tear drops so I have to use artificial drops. I am constantly getting eye infections for which they have considered surgery." [However, pain appears to have been reduced]. Source: Anonymous.

Negative experiences

  "About 20 years ago, [writer] had an operation that, I believe, went in and severed the nerve. After about 7 years that grew back. They had said was one of the possibilities. Since then [writer has] had pain, and not much reprieve at all." Source: Anonymous.