J Neurosurg 143:982–986, 2025
Peripheral nerve field stimulation (PNFS) for refractory trigeminal neuralgia showed high long-term treatment failure, especially in females, with frequent complications and revisions. Only half of male patients reported lasting benefit. PNFS should be considered cautiously for this condition.
Peripheral nerve field stimulation (PNFS) was studied for refractory trigeminal neuralgia with a long-term follow-up.
Fifteen patients (6 male, 9 female; median age 70) were included, with a median follow-up of 93 months.
PNFS had a high rate of long-term treatment failure, especially in females.
The median time to treatment failure was 2 years (5.1 years in males, 1.5 years in females; p = 0.003).
Only 3 patients (all male) reported ongoing benefit.
Complications and revision surgeries were common (4 patients, 7 revisions).
No significant differences in outcomes were found between classic and secondary trigeminal neuralgia or by patient age.
PNFS should be considered cautiously due to limited long-term efficacy and frequent complications.
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