Evolution of interventional techniques

Area of Science:

• Pain Medicine
• Anesthesiology
• Interventional Pain Management

Background:

• Regional anesthesia has a long history in acute pain management (intraoperative, postoperative, traumatic).
• Widespread acceptance for acute pain contrasts with a lack of consensus regarding its use in chronic pain syndromes.
• Interventional pain management techniques, derived from regional anesthesia, are increasingly utilized for chronic pain.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the development and clinical applications of various interventional pain management techniques.
• To discuss techniques originating from regional anesthesia for chronic pain treatment.

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on interventional pain management procedures.
• Discussion of clinical aspects and development of selected techniques.

Main Results:

• Epidural injections and epiduroscopy are discussed for their role in chronic pain.
• Facet denervation, intradiscal applications, and vertebroplasty are reviewed.
• Sympathetic neurolysis and continuous infusion techniques (central and peripheral) are examined.

Conclusions:

• Interventional techniques derived from regional anesthesia show growing interest for chronic pain.
• A comprehensive understanding of these techniques is crucial for effective chronic pain management.
• Further consensus and research may solidify the role of these interventions in chronic pain care.