Trigeminal neuralgia: retrolabyrinthine selective posterior root section.

Experience gained from the treatment of 41 patients with 42 operations for the relief of Vth nerve pain over the past 5 years is reported. For the selective section of the posterior root of the trigeminal nerve 28 retrolabyrinthine procedures were performed for typical tic douloureux with complete lasting relief in 25; 1 was relieved with the addition of aspirin; and 2 were relieved by Tegratol even though it was ineffective before surgery. There were no deaths and no serious complications. None had facial paralysis or anesthesia dolorosa. The retrolabyrinthine approach to the posterior root of the trigeminal nerve is ideally suited for those patients with refractory tic douloureux or patients with facial pain secondary to other causes such as tumor. Because of its effectiveness and low morbidity, this procedure offers advantages over other surgical techniques.