title: "Difficult-to treat" ulcers management: use of pulse dose radiofrequency.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In this paper we wanted to evaluate the impact of pain reduction on the evolution of "difficult-to treat" ulcers, using Radiofrequency analgesia in pulse-dose modality.
  
  
  METHODS
  We have performed a randomized trial to evaluate the efficacy of the RF in PD mode to reduce the healing time of ulcers of difficult management as outpatient for spontaneous and provoked pain. We enrolled 23 patients, including 7 males (30%) and 16 females (70%), aged between 53 and 79 years (mean age = 67.2) sorted according to the first letter of the last name in ascending order and assigned alternately to one or another group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In Group A healing was obtained in 33% of patients (4/12), with an average healing time of 6 months while in Group B healing has been obtained in 81% of patients (9/11) with an average time of 3 months (range 1-5 months) Student's T was performed to compare the average recovery time among the two groups; moreover we have analyzed the proportions of healed patients in the group A and B.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Healing time significantly decreased in group B (p = 0,013079). Even the cure rate has changed favorably, in a statistically significant way.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to the literature related to the use of the RF pulse dose, there is a greater effectiveness of this technique in respect of the classical PRF, in terms of immediate and long-term reduction of pain and this impacts positively on the course of ulcer healing.
authors.forename: Gennaro
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Quarto
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Solimeno
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Furino
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sivero
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bucci
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Massa
authors.forename: Giacomo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Benassai
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Apperti
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007871:Leg Ulcer; D010146:Pain; D014456:Ulcer; D014945:Wound Healing