The response of the peripheral branches of the trigeminal nerve to trauma

56 patients were monitored for a period of 26 weeks following injury to one of the peripheral branches of the trigeminal nerve. A further 10 patients were followed up after periods of 1 to 9 years suffering impaired facial sensation. Tests showed that 50% of the patients returned to normal in 3 months and 60% in 6 months. The fine sensations of touch and temperature recovered first and the response to pricking and two-point discrimination occurred later. Not all patients recovered normal sensation. A small proportion continued to suffer disturbing sensations such as tingling, burning and formication.