Evaluation of the effect of Orthokine injection into the oval foramen in pain control in trigeminal neuralgia patients: a pilot study

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of injecting autologous conditioned serum (orthokine) into the oval foramen in pain control in patients with trigeminal neuralgia. Material and Method: The present study was a pilot intervention study. The study population included all patients with trigeminal neuralgia who had unsuccessful drug treatment and in 1399, referred to the outpatient clinic of pain and palliative medicine in Imam Reza Hospital in Tabriz. From this study population, 11 patients who met the eligibility criteria were included in the study by convenient sampling method. All subjects underwent weekly injections of autologous conditioned serum (orthokine) (2 ml per injection) into the oval foramen for 4 consecutive sessions. Results: The mean minimum and maximum pain intensity before treatment (last 24 hours) were 5.36±2.37 and 10.00±0.00, respectively. Pain intensity was decreased significantly based on Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) in the follow-up periods of the first week, second week, third week, fourth week and one month after final recent follow up compared to the baseline value (mean changes were -2.81 ±2.35, p = 0.007, -4.37 ± 2.53, p = 0.005, -5.36 ±3.44, p = 0.005, -5.37 ± 3.79, p=0.007 and -4.81 ±3.48, p = 0.006, respectively). Dosage of the drug in the follow-up periods of the first week, second week, third week, fourth week and one month after final recent follow up was decreased significantly in comparison with the baseline value (mean changes were -109.09 ±104.44, p = 0.014, -345.45± 129.33,p = 0.003, -436.36 ±196.32, p = 0.003, -454.54 ±220.74, p = 0.003 and -436.36 ±196.32, P = 0.003, respectively).