Microvascular decompression and radiofrequency for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia: a meta-analysis

Figures & data

Figure 1 Study screening flow diagram.

Table 1 Study characteristics

Study	Diagnosis	Treated/untreated	Age (mean)	Male/female	Current pain score	Right/left side	No. of participants (MVD/RF)	Follow up	Outcomes
Hitchon 2016^Citation16	TN	Untreated	MVD: 57 RF: 75	MVD: 33/46 RF: 13/23	MVD: 1±2 RF: 2±3	MVD: 49/30 RF: 19/17	115 (79/36)	MVD: 16/22 months RF: 65/57 months	Patient required additional procedures Facial numbness, Postoperative use of medication, Other complications.
Marshall 2015^Citation10	TN	Untreated	MVD: 53.9 RF: 76.2	MVD: 10/17 RF: 11/12	NR	MVD: 15/12 RF: 12/11	50 (27/23)	NR	Patient required additional procedures, Facial numbness, Other complications.
Koopman 2011^Citation13	TN	Untreated	PRT: 67.3 MVD: 57.8	MVD: 43/44 RF: 288/384	NR	NR	759 (87/672)	Until the earliest of one of the following events: admission for a complication, repeat procedure or end of a 1-year follow-up period	Patient required additional procedures, Other complications.
Laghmari 2007^Citation9	TN	Medical treatment	MVD: 50 RF: 53	MVD: 32/19 RF: 31/42	NR	MVD: 29/21 RF: 35/38	124 (51/73)	95 months	Pain relief, Patient required additional procedures, Other complications.
Sanches-mejia 2006^Citation16	TN	Untreated	MVD: 58.1 RF: 72.8	MVD: 34/59 RF: 3/9	NR	NR	105 (93/12)	MVD: 70.1 months RF: 86.1 months	Patient required additional procedures
Tronnier 2001^Citation17	TN	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	431 (225/206)	MVD: 10.9 years RF: 14 years	Patient required additional procedures, Other complications.
Zakrzewska 1993^Citation15	TN	NR	54	191/285	NR	NR	330 (65/265)	45 months	Patient required additional procedures, Postoperative use of medication, Numbness, Other complications.
Meglio 1989^Citation12	TN	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	53 (20/33)	24 months	Patient required additional procedures, Other complications.
Bederson 1989^Citation11	TN	Treated	59.9	76/176	NR	NR	196 (166/30)	5.1 years	Patient required additional procedures, Facial numbness, Other complications.

Abbreviations: TN, trigeminal neuralgia, NR, not reported, MVD, microvascular decompression; RF, radiofrequency rhizotomy.

Figure 2 Forest plot of the number of patients requiring additional procedures after surgery.

Abbreviations: MVD, microvascular decompression; RF, radiofrequency thermocoagulation and rhizotomy; RR, risk ratio; CI, confidence interval.

Figure 3 Forest plot of facial numbness.

Abbreviations: MVD, microvascular decompression; RF, radiofrequency thermocoagulation and rhizotomy; RR, risk ratio; CI, confidence interval.

Figure 4 Forest plot of postoperative use of medication.

Abbreviations: MVD, microvascular decompression; RF, radiofrequency thermocoagulation and rhizotomy; RR, risk ratio; CI, confidence interval.

Figure 5 Forest plot of the incidence of any adverse events and specific adverse events.

Abbreviations: MVD, microvascular decompression; RF, radiofrequency thermocoagulation and rhizotomy; RR, risk ratio; CI, confidence interval.

Figure 6 Forest plot of the total cost of intervention.

Abbreviations: MVD, microvascular decompression; RF, radiofrequency thermocoagulation and rhizotomy; RR, risk ratio; CI, confidence interval.

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