Gasserian ganglion stimulation for refractory trigeminal neuropathic pain

Background and objective

Painful trigeminal neuropathy is a complex clinical entity due to its severity and refractoriness to pharmacological and interventional management. We describe our experience in treating refractory painful trigeminal neuropathy (RPTN) with gasserian ganglion stimulation (GGS).

Materials and methods

Six patients with RPTN were treated with GGS in our Unit between 2019 and 2022. The following data were collected: socio-demographic characteristics, triggering event, duration of the disease and treatment received prior to surgery, pre- and post-intervention visual analogue scale (VAS) score, follow-up time, and pre- and post-intervention functionality and quality of life.

Results

All patients were women who had received aggressive first-, second-, and third-line pharmacological, non-pharmacological, and interventional management before being referred for GGS. Patients reported a 50%–72% decrease in pain on VAS and improved functionality during follow-up.

Conclusions

GGS is a promising therapeutic alternative for patients with RPTN. Although the initial outcomes and experience are encouraging, RPTN is recommended on the basis of safety, reproducibility, and trends observed in clinical practice.