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ISSN 2063-5346
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EFFECTS OF COMBINED PULSED AND CONVENTIONAL RADIOFREQUENCY FOR THE TREATMENT OF IDIOPATHIC TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA

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Raafat M Reyad MD, FIPP 1 , Hossam M Massoud 2* , Ehab H Shaker MD 1
» doi: 10.48047/ecb/2023.12.9.238

Abstract

Background: The most frequent approach in treating pain of TN either conventional thermal, pulsed or combined techniques is radiofrequency. Objectives: Assessment of the efficiency of Gasserian ganglion injury with both conventional radiofrequency (CRF) and pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) during TN. Patient and methods: 34 individuals with idiopathic TN participated in the clinical study receiving combination of conventional and pulsed radiofrequency (CCPRF). "First lesion at 60 °C for sixty seconds, 2nd lesion at sixty-five°C for Sixty seconds, and 3rd lesion at 70 °C for 60 seconds" was how individuals received treatment by CRF. Then, PRF with a pulse width of 10 ms and a frequency of 4 Hz was given for 360 seconds, repeatedly, at 45 V. The temperature of the needle tips selected as the cut-off is 42 °C. A pain score was determined at a period of two weeks, six months, twelve months, and three years. After the operation, the likelihood of complications and the probability of recurrence were assessed. Results: Significant reduction in both medications doses and VAS in all follow-up time points were noticed. Side effects were tolerable e.g., local pain, headache, masseter spasm and hypothesia and nondistressing numbness was the common adverse effect in 5 (14.7%) patients. Recurrence rates were very low "1 patient out of 29 good responders after 24 months (3.44 %) and 3 patients out of 29 after 36 months (10.3%)". Conclusion: Patients who obtained PRF together with CRF had significant pain relief and decreased painkiller use. Therefore, CCPRF has few postoperative effects and is successful in managing TN discomfort

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