Factors Associated with Treatment Outcome of Carbon Dioxide Laser for Trigeminal Neuralgia

Abstract

Abstract:Objective: To report the treatment outcome and identify factors associated with treatmentoutcome of using carbon dioxide (CO2) laser neural ablation for trigeminal neuralgia (TN).Materials and methods: This was a retrospective study of 36 patients who underwent CO2laser neural ablation to treat TN. The medical records were reviewed and analyzed. Pain relief for atleast 1 year after the procedure would be classified as treatment success.Results: For the total of 36 patients, 15 of them (41.7%) achieved the treatment success.Regarding the factors associated with the treatment outcome, the total daily dose of carbamazepineof 600 mg or less per day and shorter duration of symptoms prior to receiving the operation(persistent symptom of 3 years or less) were related to success of treatment. The odds ratios ofboth factors were 12 (95% CI = 1.6-87.9) for the carbamazepine dose, and 16 (95% CI = 2.2-112.9)for the duration of persistent symptom of 3 years or less.Conclusions: The CO2 laser neural ablation decreased the pain symptoms of the patientswith TN. The preoperative dose of carbamazepine and the duration of symptoms prior to treatmentwere associated with good treatment outcomes of CO2 laser for TN.Keywords: Trigeminal neuralgia, Tic Douloureux, Carbone dioxide laser, LasersSWU Dent J. 2022;15(2):79-88.