RESUMO
The aim of the study was to analyze the results of surgical treatment of primary trigeminal neuralgia using laser destruction of the sensitive root in elderly and senile patients. The results of treatment of 25 patients older than 65 years with conservative treatment-resistant trigeminal pain who underwent laser destruction of the sensitive trigeminal root (970 nm, 9 Hz and 3 W power in a total dose of 100 J) in the period from 2018-2019 were prospectively studied. The average follow-up was 12 months. As a result, a significant decrease in the intensity of pain on the scale of facial pain was found from 87 (83,5; 91,5) mm to 15,5 (12,5; 18,5) mm (p=0,002) in the long-term period. On average, 12 months after the operation, a significant improvement in the indicators of the physical and psychological components of health was revealed on the SF-36 questionnaire (p=0,02 and p=0,01, respectively). In the follow-up on the Macnab scale, predominantly excellent (n=23; 92%) and good (n=2; 8%) treatment results were noted. Registered 1 (4%) perioperative complication and 2 (8%) adverse effects of anesthesiology benefits. Thus, the use of laser denervation of the sensitive root in primary trigeminal neuralgia in elderly and senile patients can significantly reduce the level of preoperative pain and improve the quality of life, with low risks of adverse effects.