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Updated: Jun 2, 2026
Microvascular Decompression: Salient Surgical Principles and Technical Nuances
Published on: July 5, 2011
A prospective study of 39 patients with trigeminal neuralgia treated with percutaneous balloon compression
Wuilker Knoner Campos1, Marcelo N Linhares
1Institute of Neurosurgery, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil. wuilker@yahoo.com.br
Objective:
Trigeminal neuralgia is the most common facial pain. It may be treated with percutaneous balloon compression (PBC), which is considered to be a safe and efficient procedure. The purpose of this study was to review our results with PBC and to assess the factors influencing the outcome.
Method:
A multivariate analysis was used to study 39 patients during a 50-month postoperative period.
Results:
There was predominance of the female gender (54%), the right side of the face (84%) and V2V3 roots of trigeminal nerve (33%). The mean age was 62.3 years. No major complications or deaths occurred. Among all variables, postoperative hypoesthesia was the single prognostic factor capable of positively influencing the results (p=0.02). Most patients (80%) were pain-free after 50 months with a 90% satisfaction rate.
Conclusion:
PBC was a safe procedure with low morbidity, no mortality, high approval ratings, and was an important improving on patients' quality of life.
