Neurotomy of the superior maxillary branch of the trigeminus : including neurectomy of the spheno-palatine ganglion for the relief of tic-douloureux / by Frederic S. Dennis.

  • Frederic Shepard Dennis
Date:
1879
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Neurotomy of the superior maxillary branch of the trigeminus : including neurectomy of the spheno-palatine ganglion for the relief of tic-douloureux / by Frederic S. Dennis. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    Family history shows no hereditary tendencies. Physical examination reveals normal kings and heart. Iiis life has been exemplary as regards drinking and smoking. January 29, 1870, I extirpated, by methods already de- scribed, the superior maxillary nerve and Meckel’s ganglion. The wound was then closed, the lower part of the left vertical incision being left open in order to allow free drainage. The wound healed normally, and nothing unfavorable occurred to delay repair. Patient continued free from pain for several months (5-7), when pains of a neuralgic character appeared in the tract of the inferior maxillary nerve. I cut down upon the inferior maxilla and trephined it over the dental canal. I also, by means of a bistoury introduced into the mouth, divided the nerve just as it makes its entrance into the dental foramen. Subsequently to this operation, a small piece of necrosed bone came away, but the patient had not, up to the time of his discharge from the hospital, which took place a month or so “later, experienced any pain of the face. (May, 1S73.) In June, 1875, the patient returned to hospital, professing to suffer from his old enemy. He has become a confirmed opium- eater, and begs for the drug in a slavish and imploring man- ner. He has been carefully watched for many months, and the results of these observations have confirmed me in the belief that he suffers more from being deprived of the pleasure of opium-eating than from any actual pain. His appetite is very good, and he sleeps well, and, if he gets a hypodermic injection of a liquid resembling in appearance Magendie’s solution, he is as comfortable and sleeps as well, whether it be morphia or distilled water, provided only the substitution is not too long continued at any one time. November 7, 1877.—An abscess has formed on left but- tock. An opening having been made, an immense quantity of pus was discharged. 0th. Ihe patient was given Magendie’s solution ^4 130, besides bromide and chloral. 11th. Magendie’s solution, TIl 200, pot. brom. 75 grs., cldor. hydrat. grs. 40, has been given during the day. 15th.—The patient received to-day Magendie n 290.
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