title: The application of percutaneous lysis of epidural adhesions in patients with failed back surgery syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the efficacy and the feasibility of application of percutaneous lysis of epidural adhesions in failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) using a stiff type guide wire and 4F vascular catheter.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety two patients with FBSS were randomly divided into two groups, the control group (treated by injection dexamethasone only) and percutaneous lysis of epidural adhesions group. Visual analog scale scores (VAS) and therapeutic evaluation were observed in the preoperative, seven days postoperative, one month and six months postoperative.
  
  
  RESULTS
  VAS scores for pain were significantly reduced in both groups at seven days. The VAS scores were in controlled group at one month, six months was significantly higher than that in epidural lysis group. However, there was no statistical difference in VAS scores of one month and six months when respectively compared to that of before operation in controlled group. Patients on epidural lysis reported clinical effectiveness rate was 50%. Patients on control was 5.26%, there was a statistical difference between two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Percutaneous lysis of epidural adhesions by using a stiff type guide wire and 4F vascular catheter is an effective method in the treatment of FBSS and it has a value in clinical application.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Guiyang, China.
authors.forename: He
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chun-jing
authors.forename: Nie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hao-xiong
authors.forename: Ni
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: jia-xiang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004824:Epidural Space; D055111:Failed Back Surgery Syndrome / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D062666:Vascular Access Devices