Brief report: the long-term outcome of mandibular nerve block with alcohol for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia.

Abstract

Ninety-eight patients received 160 mandibular nerve (V3) blocks with alcohol for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia in this prospective study. According to the Kaplan-Meier analysis, the probabilities of remaining pain free for 1, 2, 3, and 7 years after the procedures were 90.4%, 69%, 53.5%, and 33%, respectively. There was no significant difference in the probability of pain-free duration and complications between patients with repeat versus single V3 block with alcohol. We conclude that single and repeat V3 alcohol block for trigeminal neuralgia can provide long-lasting pain relief.