K. Singh Sahni, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Neurosurgical Associates, P.C., Richmond, VA
10710 Midlothian Turnpike, Suite 138
Richmond, VA 23235
804-330-4990
http://www.trigeminalneuralgiava.com/dr-sahni.htm
Transcript: Questions to ask a neurosurgeon about trigeminal neuralgia
The single most important thing you should see in your neurosurgeon is to find out how often does he practice with trigeminal neuralgia facial pain patients. One of the things that we sometimes skip is the fact that there are neurosurgeons who actually also medically manage the patient. Personally in my practice, I think it is unfair that I take over a patient’s care and then as soon as they need a medication, send them on to a neurologist or primary care physician. Since I manage this disease personally on all bases, I think it is important to handle that patient’s medical status as well as surgical.
Now, you need to find out if your surgeon is willing to do all. You also need to find out if your surgeon experienced in multiple different modalities and not just one single modality and is willing to talk to you about all different procedures. You should ask in-depth questions. You should specifically be asking about the frequency of the treatment. Always ask to talk to some of the patients that your surgeon has managed. If you end up deciding on microvascular decompression, ask for 4-5 names of the patients who have had microvascular decompression by that surgeon. Similarly for Gamma Knife and glycerol. Most physicians who do it on a very frequent basis are not at all disappointed and they will actually advise their patients to be well informed. So you should ask your physician for reference names for other patients and that will help you.
Usually most physicians will have written information, patient education. Trigeminal Neuralgia Association’s within that territory are very helpful. Talk to other patients within those support groups. And I think in general you will come out with a very good feeling if you’ve spent time with a person who deals with trigeminal neuralgia on a day to day basis. Than somebody who’s taking care of a trigeminal neuralgia maybe once or twice a month and that would be a different perception.