Korean J Anesthesiol.  2004 Oct;47(4):547-552. 10.4097/kjae.2004.47.4.547.

Clinical Experience of Epidural Adhesiolysis in Patients with Failed Back Surgery Syndrome

• Song SO
• Lim HJ

• KMID: 2299293
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2004.47.4.547

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Epidural adhesiolysis is advocated in radiculopathy due to epidural adhesion following previous back surgery. Traditionally, a Racz catheter through a R-K needle is used as a standard tool in this procedure. We report our experiences of clinical results and the usage of various catheters for epidural adhesiolysis in patients with failed back surgery syndrome.
METHODS
We investigated the medical records of 15 patients with failed back surgery syndrome who received epidural adhesiolysis. An R-K epidural needle was inserted through the sacral hiatus and a Racz catheter was advanced through the needle and repeatedly passed through the adhesion site under fluoroscopic visualization. The authors used Racz catheter in addition to the several kinds of catheter, e.g., the Fogarty balloon, and pulmonary artery or ureteral catheters to improve the epidural adhesion lysis. Bupivacaine, triamcinolone, hypertonic saline and/or hyaluronic acid were injected through the catheter daily for 3 days. Patients were evaluated for pain intensity and side effects 3 days and 2 months after the procedure.
RESULTS
Pain scores (numerical rating scale) were significantly lower at 3 days and 2 months (3.1 +/- 1.8, 5.7 +/- 2.0, respectively P <0.01) than pre-procedure values (8.6 +/- 0.9). Complications were 2 mild posterior neck pain during procedure and 1 myoclonus in the recovery room.
CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that epidural adhesiolysis is a relatively effective therapeutic means in patients with failed back surgery syndrome. Furthermore, a new balloon catheter with the advantages of Racz and Fogarty catheters, should be made available to improve the quality of lysis.

Keyword

epidural adhesiolysis; failed back surgery syndrome; Fogarty balloon catheter; hyaluronic acid; pulmonary artery catheter; Racz catheter

MeSH Terms

Bupivacaine
Catheters
Failed Back Surgery Syndrome*
Humans
Hyaluronic Acid
Medical Records
Myoclonus
Neck Pain
Needles
Pulmonary Artery
Radiculopathy
Recovery Room
Triamcinolone
Urinary Catheters
Bupivacaine
Hyaluronic Acid
Triamcinolone