Evaluation of percutaneous adhesiolysis for the management of chronic pain due to post spine surgery syndrome

ABSTRACT Background Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) is a persistent radicular and/or lumbar pain following spine surgery. Percutaneous adhesiolysis (PA) has proved efficacy for the treatment of intractable chronic pain after failure of conservative management. Aim Our research aims to investigate the effectiveness and safety of percutaneous epidural adhesiolysis using RACZ catheter as Numeric rating scale during 6-month duration as a primary outcome and catheter related complication as a secondary outcome among patients suffering chronic leg and low back pain in patients with failed back surgery syndrome. Methods 20 patients who were screened diagnosed as FBSS determined by MRI and patient symptoms during enrollment phase completed the study by passing Racz epidural catheter through Racz needle to the region of the filling defect. Results High statistically significant difference was found in NRS scores versus time in the study group when analyzed by Friedman test (P < 0.001) with 40%, 50%, 58% and 56% improvement in NRS at 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months, respectively. Conclusion Racz adhesiolysis is effective in improving pain scores in patients with FBSS after failure of conservative medical therapy.