Efficacy and safety of high concentration lidocaine for trigeminal nerve block in patients with trigeminal neuralgia.

Abstract

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.

• Authors: K R Han, C Kim, Y J Chae, D W Kim
• Journal: International journal of clinical practice (Int J Clin Pract) Vol. 62 Issue 2 Pg. 248-54 (Feb 2008) ISSN: 1368-5031 [Print] India
• PMID: 18036166 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anesthetics, Local
• Lidocaine

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Anesthetics, Local (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Female
• Humans
• Lidocaine (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Nerve Block (adverse effects, methods)
• Pain Measurement (methods)
• Treatment Outcome
• Trigeminal Neuralgia (therapy)