title: Using gabapentin to treat failed back surgery syndrome caused by epidural fibrosis: A report of 2 cases.
abstract: Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) is a long-lasting, often disabling, and relatively frequent (5%-10%) complication of lumbosacral spine surgery. Epidural fibrosis is among the most common causes of FBSS, and it is often recalcitrant to treatment. Repeated surgery for fibrosis has only a 30% to 35% success rate, whereas 15% to 20% of patients report worsening of their symptoms. Long-term outcome studies focusing on pharmacologic management of chronic back pain secondary to epidural fibrosis are lacking in the literature. This report presents 2 cases of severe epidural fibrosis managed successfully with gabapentin monotherapy. In both cases, functional status improved markedly and pain was significantly diminished. Gabapentin has an established, favorable safety profile and has been shown to be effective in various animal models and human studies of chronic neuropathic pain. Clinicians should consider gabapentin as a pharmacologic treatment alternative in the management of FBSS caused by epidural fibrosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Braverman
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Slipman
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Lenrow
mesh_terms: D000085:Acetates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000588:Amines; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D017586:Diskectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004824:Epidural Space / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005355:Fibrosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D000077206:Gabapentin; D006801:Humans; D007796:Laminectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000601:surgery*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D020127:Recovery of Function; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
chemical_list: D000085:Acetates; D000588:Amines; D000700:Analgesics; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000077206:Gabapentin