Chinese Expert Consensus on Percutaneous Balloon Compression for Trigeminal Neuralgia (2022)

Percutaneous balloon compression (PBC) is recognized as a simple, safe, and effective intervention for trigeminal neuralgia (TN) and has been widely adopted in clinical practice across China. However, variations in its application exist among different regions. To standardize procedural protocols and enhance clinical outcomes, a multidisciplinary panel of Chinese experts from pain medicine and neurosurgery collaboratively developed this clinical expert consensus. The consensus formulation involved a systematic literature review of major databases, including Wanfang and PubMed, among others, and focusing on high-quality evidence such as systematic reviews, meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, expert consensus statements, and clinical guidelines. Using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) framework and structured consensus conference methods, the panel held iterative discussions and conducted voting sessions to finalize the recommendations. This document summarizes key aspects of PBC, including relevant anatomy, mechanisms of action, indications, contraindications, detailed operative techniques, and efficacy evaluation. It aims to serve as a practical reference for clinicians to standardize and optimize the use of PBC in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia.