Trigeminal Neuralgia
Trigeminal neuralgia is a chronic pain condition that affects the trigeminal nerve which carries sensation from your face to your brain.
Surgeries for Trigeminal Neuralgia:
Microvascular decompression
This procedure involves relocating or removing blood vessels that are in contact with the trigeminal root to stop the nerve from malfunctioning.
Brain stereotactic radiosurgery (Gamma knife)
In this procedure, a surgeon directs a focused dose of radiation to the root of your trigeminal nerve. This procedure uses radiation to damage the trigeminal nerve and reduce or eliminate pain. Relief occurs gradually and may take up to a month.
Rhizotomy
In a rhizotomy, the surgeon destroys nerve fibers to reduce pain and this causes some facial numbness.