The treatment of postherpetic neuralgia by electric stimulation of the Gasserian ganglion
Iida, H.; Tanahashi, T.; Iwata, H.; Uematsu, H.; Yamamoto, M.; Takagi, N.
Masui. Japanese Journal of Anesthesiology 35(1): 139-142
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0021-4892 PMID: 3486986 Document Number: 268294
A 71 years old, male patient, suffering from postherpetic trigeminal neuralgia who had resisted to conventional therapy, was successfully treated with a new method; electric stimulation of the Gasserian ganglion via an implanted electrode. The electrode was percutaneously introduced under the mandibular bone toward foramen ovale to keep its position even in mastication. Satisfactory pain relief was obtained by this treatment. Several weeks after this procedure this analgesic effect was reduced but the patient gained good pain relief again by the cessation of the stimulation for some days. We believe this method is a useful treatment for the patient with intractable facial pain.