"The patient has had high blood pressure for many years, now classified as Grade 3 extremely high risk, along with Grade III heart failure. Given the patient's condition, microvascular decompression of the trigeminal nerve is not feasible."

Liu Haipeng shook his head slightly, speaking with some gravity.

This microvascular decompression surgery involves using a microscope to move away the blood vessels compressing the trigeminal nerve, relieving the pressure on the nerve, thus alleviating the patient's clinical symptoms.

The trigeminal nerve is the fifth pair of cranial nerves, which means it is located in the brain.

In other words, performing a microvascular decompression would require a craniotomy.

Given the patient's hypertension and heart failure, a craniotomy is certainly out of the question.

"Then we are left with the option of nerve puncture block."

Zhao Heng nodded slowly as he spoke.

The nerve puncture block involves using a puncture method with anhydrous ethanol and glycerine to block the trigeminal ganglion, destroying sensory nerve cells to achieve pain relief.

"That's not feasible either."

Liu Haipeng continued shaking his head.

"Hmm? Even nerve puncture block is not an option?"

With Liu Haipeng's words, Zhao Heng felt a bit puzzled.

"Dr. Zhao, take a look."

Liu Haipeng took out his phone, opened a picture in his album, and handed the phone to Zhao Heng.

Though a bit puzzled, Zhao Heng still took the phone.

Whoa!

One glance, and Zhao Heng was startled.

The image on the phone showed an elderly man with half of his face disfigured.

The scars and the manner of disfigurement, Zhao Heng immediately recognized as caused by strong acid.

"Was he splashed with acid?"

Zhao Heng asked in shock.

"No, the patient is a chemistry teacher who, unable to bear the recurrent pain, injected it himself."

Liu Haipeng replied with some regret.

It is common for trigeminal neuralgia patients to self-mutilate, some use knives to cut their faces, others use spikes, but this extreme use of strong acid was a first for him.

"So extreme..."

Zhao Heng was also astonished.

"The patient is a chemistry teacher. He self-studied some medical knowledge and thought he could destroy the nerve by injecting strong acid into the trigeminal nerve area to relieve pain."

Liu Haipeng explained further.

"The principle is correct, but strong acid should never be used."

Zhao Heng remarked with deep emotion.

"Isn't that the truth... The patient's face has been severely damaged by acid, making nerve block impossible."

Liu Haipeng sighed as he spoke.

As a pain management specialist, he had seen many patients tormented by various neurological diseases.

However, using strong acid injection to destroy nerves for pain relief was something he encountered for the first time.

It goes beyond the saying 'strike the enemy with a loss of a thousand to suffer a loss of three thousand oneself'; it's more like 'a thousand for the enemy, thirty thousand for oneself'.

"In this case, the only remaining option is transcranial ganglion radiofrequency ablation."

Zhao Heng contemplated for a moment before speaking gravely.

Transcranial ganglion radiofrequency ablation involves drilling a hole in the skull and inserting a radiofrequency needle directly into the intracranial trigeminal ganglion, selectively destroying pain and temperature sensory nerves.

While this method is nearly a hundred percent effective, the risks and challenges are enormous.

The radiofrequency ablation utilizes the heat effect and thermocoagulation produced when radiofrequency passes through the body to destroy nerve cells.

It's applicable on the face.

However, intracranially, mishandling the position or strength could cook brain tissue.

It's practically the last resort for trigeminal neuralgia, yet, to this day, few surgeons have performed it frequently.

Of course, there's also the gamma knife radiation treatment for the trigeminal nerve.

But that can only be used on the face; applying it intracranially would be a death sentence.

"If performed, the patient's trigeminal ganglion will be entirely destroyed, resulting in a complete loss of facial sensation."

After a pause, Zhao Heng earnestly continued.

He felt that the price for pain relief seemed a bit excessive.

In clinical practice, the cost-effectiveness of treatment is considered, meaning the benefits should outweigh the costs.

Sometimes, even if normal tissues are damaged during surgery, if it can resolve life-threatening conditions, it's worth it.

"The patient is determined to undergo surgery. Dr. Zhao, I believe that in Eastern Hospital, only you can perform this transcranial ganglion radiofrequency ablation."

Liu Haipeng addressed Zhao Heng with due solemnity.

Zhao Heng's completion of several highly demanding operations had already spread throughout Eastern Hospital, and now everyone unequivocally acknowledged his exceptional surgical skills, especially in puncture techniques.

"Let's meet the patient."

Zhao Heng contemplated before speaking.

Challenging difficult cases was his norm now.

However, the patient had to consent to the fact that post-surgery, a part of the facial sensation would be permanently lost.

"Okay."

Liu Haipeng nodded, exhaling deeply.

If Zhao Heng said no, then there would be no other doctor in Eastern Hospital capable of performing this surgery.

Not that other doctors could not perform it, but the success rate would considerably diminish.

Zhao Heng was now renowned at Eastern Hospital for perfectly completing extremely challenging surgeries.

In a short while, Liu Haipeng brought Zhao Heng to a hospital ward.

Upon entering the ward, Zhao Heng immediately saw an elderly man with a half-disfigured face, only half-normal, with gray hair, sitting on the hospital bed.

Seeing Zhao Heng and Liu Haipeng enter, the patient immediately became agitated.

"Dr. Liu, have you found a doctor to perform the surgery?"

The elderly man asked eagerly.

"Is it this doctor? Doctor, you must perform the surgery for me. I've been tormented for half my life; no matter the cost, I want the surgery!"

The elderly man looked at Zhao Heng, speaking with determination and resolve.

"The surgery carries great risks, and post-surgery, a part of facial sensation will be permanently lost."

Zhao Heng sighed as he spoke.

"Doctor, I must have the surgery. Since contracting this disease, I've never lived a normal day. Losing facial sensation is nothing; you can remove my entire face."

The elderly man, slightly weak, nonetheless looked at Zhao Heng with unwavering resolve.

Before suffering from trigeminal neuralgia, he never imagined his life would be tormented like this by the illness.

This disease, to him, was like a devil perpetually lingering by his side.

He never stopped wanting to break free from this devil!

"Hmm, I understand now."

Zhao Heng nodded.

No further questions were necessary; the patient's resolve was strong, his desire for surgery as intense as Zhao Heng had ever seen.

Upon leaving the ward, Zhao Heng told Liu Haipeng, "Dr. Liu, prepare for the pre-surgery process. Ensure all pre-operative examinations are complete."

"Yes, Dr. Zhao, rest assured."

Liu Haipeng nodded.

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