Heat treatment of the Ganglion Sfenopalatinum

Preparing for the treatment The treatment is performed in the operating room and you will be sedated (no anesthesia). On the day of the treatment you should fast for at least 6 hours leading up to the treatment. This means that up to six hours before arriving you can have a cracker or biscuit without butter, and with just a little bit of sweet toppings for breakfast, and up to four hours before arriving you can only drink clear liquid drinks (water, tea, apple juice, or clear lemonade). Coffee is not allowed. You may take prescription medication with a sip of water. The treatment You’ll arrive at the clinic, about an hour before the treatment you will be brought to your private room, where you can change into a gown. From your room you will be guided to the operating room, where you will then be put on your back on the operating table. Additionally, your head may be fixed to the table with a strap, because you cannot make any sudden movements during surgery. Beforehand an IV will be placed, which will provide medication during the procedure, making you calmer, and possibly doze off a bit during the operation. You will also be connected to a monitor so that we can monitor your vitals during the surgery. With the help of fluoroscopy, a special needle will be placed in the cheek, near the knot of nerves behind the nose. First, the position of the needle will be checked with small currents, which are felt in the nose or palate. More anesthetics is applied after which the actual treatment of the knot of nerves commences with heat which is generated by means of a radio frequency (RF) current. It is also possible that the doctor opts for treatment, in which a local anesthetic (0.5 mL of 2% lidocaine) is injected close to the knot of nerves. The rest of this procedure is like the one mentioned above, apart from the fact that there is no application of currents.