AANA Journal, August 1977

Electro-coagulation of the Gasserian ganglion was introduced in Germany by Kirschner in 1931. 1 In recent years, the percutaneous approach to coagulation of the ganglion for treatment of trigeminal neuralgia has gained in popularity. Sweet and Wepsic recently reported on 353 patients stating that "the patient's cooperation is maintained by the use of the neuroleptanesthetic Innovar® and the production of brief unconsciousness for the painful parts of the operation by methohexital (Brevital®)."2 At the University of California, Davis-Sacramento Medical Center, 21 percutaneous trigeminal rhizotomies utilizing the Innovar-Brevital® regimen have been performed by several surgeons. Our anesthetic techniques and results follow.