Open AccessEfficacy and safety of high concentration lidocaine for trigeminal nerve block in patients with trigeminal neuralgia
Author(s) -
Han K. R.,
Kim C.,
Chae Y. J.,
Kim D. W.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
international journal of clinical practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.756
H-Index - 98
eISSN - 1742-1241
pISSN - 1368-5031
DOI - 10.1111/j.1742-1241.2007.01568.x
Subject(s) - medicine , trigeminal neuralgia , lidocaine , anesthesia , trigeminal nerve , sensation , nerve block , allodynia , surgery , neuralgia , neuropathic pain , nociception , hyperalgesia , receptor , neuroscience , biology
Summary Aims: Local anaesthetics, which act as neurolytics and Na + channel blockers, have been used for disrupting the neural firings in certain neuropathic pain conditions. This study was undertaken to investigate the clinical outcome of trigeminal nerve block with 10% lidocaine in the management of trigeminal neuralgia (TN). Methods: Thirty‐five patients with primary TN received trigeminal nerve blocks with 10% lidocaine. Success was defined as complete pain relief or mild pain without medication 1 day after the treatment. We followed the patients up every 2 months assessing for pain recurrence, sensory changes and other complications for a total of 37–45 months (median 43 months). Results: Twelve of the 35 patients (34.3%) responded favourably to the treatment and were considered as success. Eleven patients experienced complete pain relief and one could tolerate pain without medication 1 day after the blocks, which lasted for 3–172 weeks. Four patients experienced mildly decreased sensation in the region of the face supplied by the nerve 1 day after the blocks; however, all recovered normal skin sensation in 6 months. There was neither allodynia nor other sensory discomfort. The pain intensity and current pain duration before treatment were significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion: Trigeminal nerve block with high concentration lidocaine (10%) is capable of achieving an intermediate period of pain relief, particularly in patients with lower pain intensity and shorter pain duration prior to the procedure.