A patient is scheduled for surgery to treat trigeminal neuralgia.For which procedure should the nurse explain that a complication resulting in permanent numbness of the facial area might occur?

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Percutaneous rhizotomy involves the insertion of a needle through the cheek into the trigeminal nerve and destroying a portion of the nerve to relieve pain. There is a risk of permanent numbness of the facial area due to damage of the nerve. Plasmapheresis is not a surgical procedure but rather a medical treatment to remove plasma from the blood. Stereotactic radiosurgery uses focused radiation to destroy a portion of the nerve but does not involve physical manipulation of the nerve. Microvascular decompression involves moving blood vessels away from the nerve and is not associated with permanent numbness.

A Patient Is Scheduled for Surgery to Treat Trigeminal Neuralgia