Post-Operative Trigeminal Pain After Microvascular Decompression for Trigeminal Neuralgia

NCT07216547 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: Pro2025001535
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 100
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this observational study is to learn about the long-term effects of microvascular decompression (MVD) in patients with trigeminal neuralgia (TN). The main question it aims to answer is: Does undergoing post-operative dental treatment or other orofacial stimulation increase the likelihood of pain relapse after MVD for TN? Participants who have previously undergone MVD for TN as part of their standard medical care will be asked to complete surveys over phone call. These surveys will focus on their pain experiences, timing, anxiety attacks and nature of any pain relapses, and whether they have received dental treatments or other orofacial interventions during follow-up.

Conditions

Trigeminal Neuralgia; Microvascular Decompression Surgery; Post-operative Pain

Keywords

post operative relapse

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Pain control following microvascular decompression (MVD)

  Pain control will be assessed using the Barrow Neurological Institute (BNI) Pain Scale to evaluate changes in pain severity and relief after MVD.

  Up to 60 months post-surgery

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Potential participants will be identified through a review of the post-operative patient database at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Eligible subjects are individuals who have undergone initial microvascular decompression (MVD) surgery for trigeminal neuralgia. Medical records will be accessed through the EPIC system, with IRB approval in place

You may qualify if:

• MVD post-operative patients with type I Trigeminal Neuralgia.

You may not qualify if:

• Atypical (Type II) Facial Pain at presentation, revision surgery.
• Patients who are unable or unwilling to provide informed consent will be excluded from the study.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey: lead

Study Sites (1)

Rutgers School of Dental Medicine

Newark, New Jersey, 07103, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Trigeminal Neuralgia; Pain, Postoperative

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Trigeminal Nerve Diseases; Facial Neuralgia; Facial Nerve Diseases; Mouth Diseases; Stomatognathic Diseases; Cranial Nerve Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Postoperative Complications; Pathologic Processes; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Gary Heir, DMD

  Rutgers School of Dental Medicine

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Sowmya Akkineni, BDS

CONTACT

540-408-7645; sowmyaakkineni19@gmail.com

Sowmya Ananthan, BDS, DMD, MSD

CONTACT

732-322-8182; ananths1@sdm.rutgers.edu

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: OTHER
• Time Perspective: RETROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Professor, Program and Clinical Director

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: October 10, 2025
• First Posted: October 14, 2025
• Study Start: December 12, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): June 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): June 1, 2026
• Last Updated: October 14, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-10

Locations

US (1)