Effects Of Oral Carbamazepine With 2% Lidocaine On Maxillary And Mandibular Nerve Blocks In Trigeminal Neuralgia

Purpose: We evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of associating the oral administration ofcarbamazepine with 2% lidocaine for maxillary and mandibular nerve blocks in acute and long-term pain relief of trigeminal neuralgia in this retrospective study.Methods: A total of 13 patients (9 men and 4 women), with trigeminal neuralgia aged between34 and 91 years (Mean age 53±13.39), and who applied to our hospitals Pain Unit between July2007-July 2009 were included in this study. The records of 13 patients suffering pain due totrigeminal neuralgia were examined; pain free periods, treatment success, side effects, andrecurrence were recorded.Results: At the end of a 5-week treatment period, pain relapses ceased in all patients. Themajority of patients benefited remarkably from the treatment after week three. Pain recurred inone patient after one month and in two patients after six months. No relapse was observed inthe other 10 patients during the 12-month follow-up period. Conclusion: Pain episodes in trigeminal neuralgia cases may be controlled by maxillary andmandibular blocks applied with oral carbamazepine and 2% lidocaine. Favorable results areobtained in both the short and long–term, and notable increases are observed in the comfort andquality of life of patients.