Migraine surgery: the role of plastic surgery in refractory headache treatment

Medical Review (Med. pregled), 2023, 59(5), 58-64.

Y. P. Yordanov

MC “ASD Consult” – Sofia

Abstract. Surgical treatment of migraine and peripheral nerve compressions headaches is one of the most contemporary advancements of medicine and plastic surgery in particular. It encompasses decompression of extracranial sensory nerves from surrounding structures at seven sites (the so-called trigger sites) and aims to help patients who do not respond adequately to pharmacologic therapy. Right patient selection, detailed patient counseling, and meticulous surgical technique are of paramount importance for successful outcome. This treatment approach has been successfully performed over the past 20 years and nowadays strong evidence on its reliability and safety profile exists. However, it still remains unknown in Bulgarian practice and to date no scientific publications on the topic exist. The aim of the present article is to give to the reader an initial insight on the role of surgical treatment of headache.

Key words: migraine surgery, nerve entrapment, headache, trigger site, decompression technique

Address for correspondence: Yordan P. Yordanov, MD, PhD, e-mаil: yordanov_vma@abv.bg