Bhubaneswar: The Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) has successfully performed a minimally invasive procedure known as ‘balloon microcompression’ on a woman grappling with excruciating facial pain for the last seven years.
The hospital claimed that the procedure was first of its kind in Odisha. “The woman suffered from trigeminal neuralgia, a debilitating condition triggered by sharp, stabbing, and electric shock-like pain. This condition is so distressing that it’s often referred to as the “suicidal disease,” considering the extreme anguish it inflicts,” the release said.
The procedure, performed by consultant in Pain and Palliative Medicine at KIMS Dr Rajendra Sahoo and his team, was completed within 30 minutes.
It further said that balloon microcompression was preferred over radiofrequency ablation due to its lower risk of side effects, such as corneal ulcer or keratitis. “The minimally invasive ‘balloon microcompression’ procedure involved a 14 G needle under general anaesthesia, avoiding any incisions or sutures. Guided by fluoroscopy, a specialised X-ray machine, we could access the base of the skull, targeting the ‘foramen ovale’, a small opening. The balloon was then carefully inflated for 90 seconds precisely at the ‘trigeminal ganglion’, the source of the pain,” Sahoo said.
The patient was able to eat comfortably without experiencing any further agony and was discharged the following day, the release added.
