Abstract: Objective To observe the effect of pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) on refractory infraorbital neuralgia. Methods From January, 2012 to December, 2014, 49 patients who received ineffective conservative therapy including medicine and nerve blockade underwent PRF treatment. Postoperative Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)=0 or 50% diminution of NRS was considered effective. NRS, effective rate, additional carbamazepine dosage and side effects were recorded on the first day, the first week, the second week, the first month, the third month, the sixth month, the first year, and the second year after operation. Results The effective rate were 67%, 67%, 65%, 59% and 51% on the first month, the third month, the sixth month, the first year, and the second year after operation, respectively. No serious side effect was observed, except that eight patients felt short-term (within one month) mild numbness. Conclusion PRF technique is safe and effective for refractory infraorbital neuralgia, and may become an alternative therapy.

Key words: infraorbital neuralgia, treatment, pulsed radiofrequency