Results of Surgical Treatment of Idiopathic Trigeminal Neuralgia Using Different Operative Techniques

Abstract

Trigeminal neuralgia is one of the most dreadful pain diseases that is known. Patients suffering from this pain do not die of it, unless they commit suicide; however, their life is a torment. A very effective treatment may be achieved by neurosurgical procedures. The value of different operative techniques is to be judged by (1) the efficiency with which pain relief — transitory or, better permanent — is obtained and by (2) the dangers that accompany surgery.

The following colleagues have collaborated in the present study: M. Schirmer and H. Schiarb (Berlin-Neukölln), Th. Grumme (Berlin-Westend), V. Hensell, H. Miltz and Roßberg (Düsseldorf), W.-J. Bock (Essen), D. Kirchhoff and H.-W. Pia (Gießen), B. Rama (Göttingen), H. Tritthart (Graz), K. Schmidt and A. Spring (Günzburg), K. Faulhauer (Homburg/Saar), E. Schürmann and K. Schürmann (Mainz), B. Richling (Salzburg), E. Heiß and F. Pampus (Stuttgart), P. Oldenkott and H. Rooschüz (Tübingen), J. Ganglberger and H. Kraus (Wien), P. Gruß and H. Straber (Würzburg), T. Demirel (Wuppertal).