Analysis of Ballon Volumes Used during Percutaneous Microcompression of the Gasserian Ganglion for Trigeminal Neuralgia in Korean Patients. |
Keun Man Shin |
Department of Anesthesiology, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chunchon, Korea. |
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Abstract |
BACKGROUND Balloon volume is a very important factor in microcompression of the gasserian ganglion. Up until now, the range of figures for balloon inflation volumes came from foreign data. Experience has shown that the optimal range of balloon inflation volumes is somewhat different in Korean patients. Our aim was to determine mean, minimal, and maximal volumes among Korean patients. METHODS In each case balloon volume was measured when protrusion through the porus trigemini occurred. From a total of thirty-three cases seen over a one year period, thirty will be considered here. The remaining three were excluded because of unsuccessful outcomes due to improper positioning of the balloon. This resulted in extreme balloon volumes in these three cases. RESULTS The values determined from this group of patients were as follows: the mean was 0.55 ml, the maximum was 1.0 ml, and the minimum was 0.35 ml. The mean was 0.75 ml for males and 0.50 ml for females. However due to differences in age and height, this variation in the mean was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS Although a comparison of the mean values is not possible because it has never been reported before now in foreign articles, the balloon volumes measured in Korean patients are generally smaller than those reported from Europe and North America. |
Key Words:
Anatomy: gasserian ganglion; Equipment: balloon volume; Surgery: percutaneous microcompression |
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