Surgical radio-frequency epiduroscopy technique (R-ResAblator) and FBSS treatment: preliminary evaluations.
Failed back surgery syndrome represents a heterogeneous situation that suggests a fibrosis or neuroinflammatory genesis. The social cost related to this issue are enormous. Several surgical techniques have been applied to FBSS patients with controversial effectiveness. In 1998 we evaluated the efficiency and limits of epiduroscopy treatment; it proved to be effective in 75% of cases, but in 45% of cases it needed to be repeated after 12 months. Therefore we subjected 14 patients, who had previously experienced a short temporary benefit by using a traditional epiduroscopic approach, to a new epiduroscopy fibrolysis using a radio-frequency device named "R-Resablator Epiduroscopy". Clinical evaluation was performed before myeloscopy and after 1-3-6 months. After myeloscopy, 93% of patients reported a general improvement. Among the latter, pain was reduced by 90% in 8 patients, by 60-70% in 5, and by less than 30% in 1.


CONCLUSIONS
It can be concluded that RF-Epiduroscopy offers greater therapeutic benefit than traditional epiduroscopy or other surgical techniques. Furthermore, RF-Epiduroscopy is more easily performed and repeated.
Raffaeli
W
W
UO of Pain Therapy and Palliative Care, Ospedale Infermi, Rimini, Italy. wraffaeli@auslrn.net
Righetti
D
D
D001416:Back Pain / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D002818:Cordotomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D004824:Epidural Space / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012086:Reoperation / Q000379:methods; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D017211:Treatment Failure; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D020535:Video-Assisted Surgery / Q000379:methods*