title: Percutaneous bipolar radiofrequency thermocoagulation for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation.
abstract: Lumbar disc herniation is usually managed with conservative treatment or surgery. However, conservative therapy seldom yields good results, and surgery is associated with multiple complications. This study aimed to assess bipolar radiofrequency thermocoagulation for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation. A total of 168 patients with lumbar disc herniation suitable for radiofrequency thermocoagulation were enrolled and randomized to monopolar radiofrequency thermocoagulation (control group, n=84) or bipolar radiofrequency thermocoagulation (experimental group, n=84) treatment groups. Ablation sites were targeted under CT scan guidance, and consecutive radiofrequency therapy was used. One and two probes were used for monopolar and bipolar thermocoagulation, respectively. Thermocoagulation was achieved at 50°C, 60°C, and 70°C for 60s each, 80°C for 90s, and 92°C for 100s. Symptoms and complications were evaluated using the modified Macnab criteria and Visual Analog Scale at 7, 30, and 180days postoperatively. At 180days, a significantly higher efficacy rate was obtained in the experimental group compared with control patients (91.6% versus 79.7%, P<0.05). No severe complications were occurred in either group. Targeted ablation via bipolar radiofrequency thermocoagulation is efficient for lumbar disc herniation treatment, and should be further explored for broad clinical application.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pain, Jishan First People's Hospital of Zhejiang Province, No. 1218 South Tiyu Road, Luoxing Street, Jiashan 314100, China. Electronic address: zzh20150520@126.com.
authors.forename: Zhenhua
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.affiliation: Department of Pain, Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.affiliation: Department of Pain, Jishan First People's Hospital of Zhejiang Province, No. 1218 South Tiyu Road, Luoxing Street, Jiashan 314100, China.
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Dai
authors.affiliation: Department of Pain, Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Weidong
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Qiu
authors.affiliation: Department of Pain, Jishan First People's Hospital of Zhejiang Province, No. 1218 South Tiyu Road, Luoxing Street, Jiashan 314100, China.
authors.forename: Shuo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Deng
authors.affiliation: Department of Pain, Jishan First People's Hospital of Zhejiang Province, No. 1218 South Tiyu Road, Luoxing Street, Jiashan 314100, China.
authors.forename: Xinzhu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Gu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000601:surgery*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Bipolar radiofrequency thermocoagulation; Efficacy; Lumbar disc herniation; Targeted ablation