Abstract: ObjectiveTo explore a modality of ambulatory nursing care applied to the elderly patients with severe trigeminal neuralgia treated by radiofrequency thermocoagulation.Methods42 patients were equally assigned into 2 groups: group A(n=21) aged from 40～60, and group B(n=21) aged from 80～92. Pertinent nursing measures were assessed for risks of ambulatory surgery, including psychological care before surgery and intensive observation during surgery. The pain was assessed with Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) between the groups and before and after surgery, as well as complications.ResultsNo significant difference of the VAS scores was found between the groups before and 2 weeks after surgery (P>0.05), while the score of VAS decreased in two groups 2 weeks after surgery(P<0.01). No severe complication occured in the groups after surgery.ConclusionIt is safe and effective to apply the modality of ambulatory nursing care for the elderly patients with severe trigeminal neuralgia treated by radiofrequency thermocoagulation.

Key words: ambulatory surgery, elderly, trigeminal neuralgia, radiofrequency, nursing