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Migraine Trigger Site Surgery is All Placebo
Author(s) -
McGeeney Brian E.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
headache: the journal of head and face pain
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.14
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1526-4610
pISSN - 0017-8748
DOI - 10.1111/head.12715
Subject(s) - migraine , placebo , medicine , clinical trial , anesthesia , migraine disorders , placebo response , surgery , alternative medicine , pathology
Background Over the last decade surgical treatments for migraine involving proposed trigger sites have been described and popularized by plastic surgeons in particular. Various related techniques aim to free up “trigger sites” by removal of small facial muscles or “decompressing” small facial nerves. Discussion The basis for migraine trigger site surgery is without merit. There is one positive placebo controlled study with many limitations. Natural history and placebo mechanisms explain the outcomes from migraine surgery. The American Headache Society recommends that the migraine surgery not be performed outside of a clinical trial. Conclusion Migraine trigger site surgery should not be performed.