Tooth-supported personalized template-assisted foramen ovale puncture system for trigeminal neuralgia treatment.

PURPOSE: To introduce a tooth-supported personalized template-assisted foramen ovale (FO) puncture system for trigeminal neuralgia (TN) treatment, analyze its advantages, and review other previously reported methods. METHODS: Sixty-seven patients were included. According to the preoperative digital design, the personalized puncture path was determined. Then, a tooth-supported personalized template was designed and manufactured. Finally, surgery (radiofrequency thermocoagulation or balloon compression) was carried out with the assistance of the template. The puncture effect and puncture-associated complications were evaluated, and the related literature was reviewed. RESULTS: The FO was successfully punctured in one attempt in all patients. The procedure was completed in 15 s in 35 (52.24%) patients and in 15-30 s in 28 (41.79%) patients. The required position was accurately reached in all patients, and the center point error range was within 1 mm. No complications associated with puncture occurred. CONCLUSION: The tooth-supported personalized template-assisted FO puncture system reported in this paper is an exceedingly simple, highly effective and safe FO puncture method that is worth popularizing.