Abstract
Background
Failed Back Surgery Syndrome refers to patients with persistent pain after spinal surgery for back pain. The technique described by Racz and colleagues involves epidurography, adhesiolysis, and injection of hyaluronidase, bupivacaine, , and 10% sodium chloride on day 1. Radiofrequency ablation is a technique uses high-frequency current to produce heat and tissue coagulation. The procedure used radio wave, applied via a percutaneous probe to generate heat, and create a lesion in the nerve.
Patients and methods
This study was conducted on 60 Failed Back Surgery Syndrome patients classified into two groups each of 30 patients. FBSS treated by Racz technique (group I) and the other group (II) treated by Racz plus radiofrequency.
Results
VAS score and Oswestry score used to assess both techniques daily for a week then weekly for a month, then monthly for 6 months, we found that both techniques showed statistically non- significant difference before the procedure, but showed a statistically highly significant difference between both groups after the techniques. There is a reduction of VAS score from a mean of 6.2 to 3.87 in group (I) and a reduction from 6.03 to 2.7 in group (II). There is a reduction of Oswestry score from a mean of 57.2 to 40.6 in group (I) and a reduction from 57.03 to 32.47 in group (II).
Conclusion
Using radiofrequency with Racz catheter adhesolysis gives better results than using Racz catheter alone in cases with failed back surgery syndrome.
Keywords: failed back surgery syndrome, pain, Racz, radiofrequency.