Turkish Neurosurgery
Facet median branch radiofrequency thermocoagulation treatment at different temperatures and durations in patients with lumbar facet syndrome: a randomized controlled, double-blind study
Esra Ertilav1, Osman Nuri Aydin1, Kamil Varlık Erel2
1Adnan Menderes University Medical Faculty, Algology, Aydin,
2Adnan Menderes University, Anesthesiology, Aydin,
DOI: 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.34637-21.2
Aim:Radiofrequency thermocoagulation (RFT) at various temperatures and durations will be evaluated in this study to treat low back pain caused by facet joints.Material and Methods:This is a randomized controlled, double-blind study. Patients diagnosed with facet syndrome were randomly divided into three groups. RFT was applied to the medial branches, which received senses from the facet joint 90ºC 50 seconds in 31 patients, 85ºC 60 seconds in 32 patients, 70ºC 90 seconds in 33 patients at constant current and impedance values. Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) scores before and after the treatment (1 and 6 months), the need for additional analgesics after treatment, and opioid dose changes were recorded. Results:The demographic data of the groups were similar. NRS scores in all three groups were significantly lower at 1 and 6 months (p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001, respectively). At the first and sixth months, there was no significant difference between the groups in patients who experienced a 50% reduction in pain intensity (p=0.1, p=0.7, respectively). Patients who had back surgery had a significantly lower rate of pain regression (p=0.001).Conclusion:In patients with lumbar facet syndrome, RFT application in every 3 degrees and seconds is effective because it generates equal energy, and there was no significant difference in pain relief between the groups.
Corresponding author : Kamil Varlık Erel