Peroral Trigeminal Rhizotomy Using a Novel 3-Dimensional Printed Patient-Specific Guidance Tool

Ganglion Gasseri rhizotomy is a viable therapeutic option for trigeminal pain (TP). For this neurosurgical procedure, different potential operative and technical nuances exist.

To evaluate a novel peroral trigeminal rhizotomy method and 3-dimensional printed patient-specific guidance tool (3D-PSGT) with respect to their applicability and safety.

Between March 2018 and February 2021, 20 peroral balloon compression rhizotomy procedures with a 3D-PSGT were performed in 18 consecutive TP patients (13 female, mean age 58 yr). We registered the procedure duration, side effects, complications, and trigeminal function. The therapeutic effect was gauged from reduction of TP and use of analgesics.

All catheter insertions and rhizotomy procedures were successful at the first attempt. Apart from fluoroscopy, no auxiliary material was necessary. The average length of surgery was 19 min (range, 11-27 min). In total, 8 patients indicated complete analgesia and 6 patients pain relief; in 4 patients, persistence of TP was observed during follow-up examinations of up to 20 mo. In total, 6 patients reported of new mild to moderate facial hypesthesia affecting the trigeminal branches V2, V3, or V1-3. No masticatory musculature or corneal affections and device-related complications occurred.

The peroral 3D-PSGT trigeminal rhizotomy is straightforward for the neurosurgeon. This operative approach allows for rapid, safe, and simple foramen ovale cannulation in TP patients and reduces the use of additional equipment, radiation exposure, and procedure time.