Management of lower limb complex regional pain syndrome type 1: an evaluation of percutaneous radiofrequency thermal lumbar sympathectomy versus phenol lumbar sympathetic neurolysis--a pilot study.
BACKGROUND
Complex regional pain syndrome type 1 can be difficult to treat. The purpose of this study was to compare the safety and efficacy of two therapeutic options: percutaneous radiofrequency thermal lumbar sympathectomy and lumbar sympathetic neurolysis.


METHODS
We randomized 20 patients to receive percutaneous radiofrequency lumbar sympathectomy or lumbar sympathetic neurolysis with phenol 7% in lower limb complex regional pain syndrome type 1. The study end points were pain relief and side effects.


RESULTS
Within each group, there were statistically significant reductions from baseline in various pain scores after the procedure. However, there was no statistically significant difference in mean pain scores between the groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on this pilot study, radiofrequency lumbar sympathectomy may be comparable to phenol lumbar sympathectomy. A larger trial is required to confirm these findings.
Manjunath
Prashanth S
PS
Department of Anesthesiology, University of Miami-Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, FL, USA. pmanjunath@yahoo.com
Jayalakshmi
T S
TS
Dureja
G P
GP
Prevost
A Toby
AT
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001340:Autonomic Nerve Block / Q000379:methods*; D019468:Disease Management; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019800:Phenol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000078702:Radiofrequency Therapy; D012019:Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D013562:Sympathectomy / Q000379:methods*
D019800:Phenol