Dr. Conner is the only surgeon in Connecticut performing an innovative procedure involving a facial nerve stimulator, a groundbreaking alternative for patients with trigeminal neuralgia.
Dominic Frasca Jr. of Manchester with Dr. Christopher Conner, neurosurgeon at UConn Health's Brain and Spine Instititute
For years, Dominic Frasca Jr. of Manchester lived with the debilitating pain of trigeminal neuralgia, a rare neurological condition often referred to as the "suicide disease" due to its severity. Trigeminal neuralgia causes excruciating facial pain triggered by even the lightest touch, making everyday activities unbearable often described as an electric shock, stabbing, or burning feeling.
For Frasca, the condition began after he suffered a mini-stroke, and despite undergoing multiple treatments, the pain inevitably returned.
Initially, Frasca underwent a microvascular decompression (MVD) under the care of Dr. Ketan Bulsara, chair of the Department of Neurosurgery at UConn Health's Brain and Spine Institute. The procedure aimed to reposition or remove blood vessels compressing the trigeminal nerve. Even though his pain was atypical facial pain, he had immediate relief following the procedure. Unfortunately, his pain syndrome returned months after complete alleviation. He then received treatment from Radiation Oncologist Dr. Emily Anstadt Lutz in collaboration with Dr. Bulsara and Dr. Wolansky for the radiosurgical planning and underwent stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), a highly precise form of radiation therapy that uses multiple, focused beams of radiation to damage the nerve root and disrupt pain signals. This time too, his pain syndrome resolved, only to return months later.
Faced with another painful recurrence, Frasca was referred by Bulsara to Dr. Christopher Conner, a neurosurgeon at UConn Health's Brain and Spine Institute. Dr. Conner is the only surgeon in Connecticut performing an innovative procedure involving a facial nerve stimulator, a groundbreaking alternative for patients who either do not qualify for traditional treatments like microvascular decompression and radiosurgery or have exhausted all other treatment options.
Before committing to the permanent implant, Frasca underwent a temporary trial procedure in August to determine its effectiveness. The results were encouraging, and on October 7, he became the first patient in Connecticut to receive the permanent stimulator medical device by Abbott.
Abbott's stimulator, which functions similarly to a pacemaker, sends electrical signals to the trigeminal nerve to modulate pain. Unlike traditional treatments that may wear off over time, this device provides continuous relief by preventing the nerve from misfiring pain signals to the brain. Frasca describes the difference as night and day, noting that while he still experiences mild pressure sensations, the unbearable stabbing pain is gone.
"I can finally live my life again without that constant, excruciating pain," Frasca shared. only side effect I've noticed is slight blurriness in my left eye, but my eye doctor is adjusting my prescription to compensate," Frasca shared. "Otherwise, I feel like a new person."
Throughout his journey, Frasca has placed immense trust in his medical team, including Drs. Bulsara, Lutz, and Conner. He recalls how Dr. Bulsara went above and beyond, even driving an hour on his day off just to check on him before discharge.
"I sent a letter to the CEO of UConn Health to tell them what an amazing team they have here," Frasca said. "Dr. Conner is brilliant, energetic, and has truly changed my life."
The advanced nerve stimulator provides ongoing pain relief, with settings that can be adjusted remotely to optimize comfort. Frasca now has control over his condition, allowing him to reduce reliance on pain medications that previously came with significant side effects.
Looking ahead, Frasca is optimistic. He hopes that his experience will encourage more patients to explore this innovative treatment and inspire further advancements in the field. While trigeminal neuralgia remains a complex and unpredictable condition, his prognosis is promising. Thanks to the cutting-edge care at UConn Health that offers comprehensive innovative care for facial pain syndrome, he has regained his quality of life, proving that even in the face of relentless pain, hope and healing are possible.
The Brain and Spine Institute provides world-class care in a premier academic medical center for patients suffering from disorders of the brain and spine. By providing individualized care to our patients through our unique multidisciplinary approach, we optimize patient outcomes and continue to shape the future treatment of brain and spine disorders.
