Korean J Anesthesiol.  1997 May;32(5):845-849. 10.4097/kjae.1997.32.5.845.

Effect of Percutaneous Microcompression in Trigeminal Neuralgia: Case report

• Shin KM
• Ahn CS
• Choi YR
• Jung IS

• KMID: 2240253
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.1997.32.5.845

Abstract

There are many surgical alternatives to medical therapy for trigeminal neuralgia. Among open procedures, Jannetta's procedure for microvascular decompression have widest favor. But there is no justification for exposing patients to such dangers when there are effective and safe alternatives such as percutaneous procedures. Of the percutaneous procedures, the most widely used are thermocoagulation, glycerolization, and microcompression of the gasserian ganglion. Percutaneous microcompression of the gasserian ganglion was introduced by Mullan in 1978 and its description was published in 1983. In the 1950's and 1960's deliberate compression of the gasserian ganglion was performed through an open operation. Mullan carried out this precedure using an inflatable balloon under brief anesthesia. 15 procedures were performed under brief general anesthesia in order to ensure maximum comfort for the patient in the operating room. The instruments consisted of a 14 gauge blunt tip needle, a 4F Fogarty catheter and a tuberculin syringe. The compression was maintained usually for 1 to 1.5 minutes. 14 out of 15 patients were relieved from their pain without serious complications.

Keyword

Anatomy; trigeminal ganglion; Surgery; percutaneous microcompression

MeSH Terms

Anesthesia
Anesthesia, General
Catheters
Electrocoagulation
Glycerol
Humans
Microvascular Decompression Surgery
Needles
Operating Rooms
Syringes
Trigeminal Ganglion
Trigeminal Neuralgia*
Tuberculin
Glycerol
Tuberculin