Neurectomy
Encyclopedia
Neurectomy is the surgical removal of a nerve
or a section of a nerve. This procedure may be performed, for example, in cases of chronic pain where other treatments have failed. However the removal of the nerve can also cause negative effects, such as permanent numbness. A possible complication of a neurectomy is the development of a stump neuroma
, which can cause painful sensations, in some cases worse than the original condition.
A vestibulary neurectomy is a surgical procedure that may be used to correct vertigo problems caused by Ménière's disease
. The operation severs the vestibular nerve
in the ear
.
Other neurectomy operations include:
Nerve
A peripheral nerve, or simply nerve, is an enclosed, cable-like bundle of peripheral axons . A nerve provides a common pathway for the electrochemical nerve impulses that are transmitted along each of the axons. Nerves are found only in the peripheral nervous system...
or a section of a nerve. This procedure may be performed, for example, in cases of chronic pain where other treatments have failed. However the removal of the nerve can also cause negative effects, such as permanent numbness. A possible complication of a neurectomy is the development of a stump neuroma
Neuroma
A neuroma is a growth or tumor of nerve tissue. Just as the Latin word for swelling is now restricted to neoplasias, the equivalent Greek suffix -oma has shared in that fate. Thus, the typical modern usage of neuroma is for nerve tumors...
, which can cause painful sensations, in some cases worse than the original condition.
A vestibulary neurectomy is a surgical procedure that may be used to correct vertigo problems caused by Ménière's disease
Ménière's disease
Ménière's disease is a disorder of the inner ear that can affect hearing and balance to a varying degree. It is characterized by episodes of vertigo and tinnitus and progressive hearing loss, usually in one ear. It is named after the French physician Prosper Ménière, who, in an article published...
. The operation severs the vestibular nerve
Vestibular nerve
The vestibular nerve is one of the two branches of the Vestibulocochlear nerve . It goes to the semicircular canals via the vestibular ganglion...
in the ear
Ear
The ear is the organ that detects sound. It not only receives sound, but also aids in balance and body position. The ear is part of the auditory system....
.
Other neurectomy operations include:
- Musculocutaneous neurectomy—may be used in the treatment of "spastic elbow".
- Palmar Digital Neurectomy and Posterior Digital Neurectomy—a last-ditch techniques for treating Navicular SyndromeNavicular DiseaseNavicular Disease is a soundness problem in horses, more accurately called "navicular syndrome" as opposed to "disease." It most commonly describes an inflammation or degeneration of the navicular bone and its surrounding tissues, usually on the front feet...
in horseHorseThe horse is one of two extant subspecies of Equus ferus, or the wild horse. It is a single-hooved mammal belonging to the taxonomic family Equidae. The horse has evolved over the past 45 to 55 million years from a small multi-toed creature into the large, single-toed animal of today...
s, as an alternative to euthanasiaEuthanasiaEuthanasia refers to the practice of intentionally ending a life in order to relieve pain and suffering....
. - Presacral neurectomy—a treatment for chronic pelvicPelvisIn human anatomy, the pelvis is the lower part of the trunk, between the abdomen and the lower limbs .The pelvis includes several structures:...
pain associated with endometriosisEndometriosisEndometriosis is a gynecological medical condition in which cells from the lining of the uterus appear and flourish outside the uterine cavity, most commonly on the ovaries. The uterine cavity is lined by endometrial cells, which are under the influence of female hormones...
. The superior hypogastric plexusSuperior hypogastric plexusThe superior hypogastric plexus is a plexus of nerves situated on the vertebral bodies below the bifurcation of the abdominal aorta.-Structure:...
is divided.