Effectiveness of interventional procedures for post-laminectomy syndrome: A retrospective study

In our study, we aimed to evaluate the change in numerical rating scale (NRS) score and interventional procedures performed on patients with post-laminectomy syndrome whose NRS score 7 and above according to the NRS.

This study was carried out by examining the files of 107 patients, including 69 women and 38 men, aged 18 years and over who had applied between February 1, 2010, and February 1, 2015. Pain localization, post-operative periods, interventional procedures, and post-procedural pain status were determined using pain monitoring forms and hospital automation system in our clinic. Statistical significance of the obtained data was evaluated by Pearson Chi-square test, Kruskal-Wallis H test, Friedman test, and Mann-Whitney U-test. p>0.05 was not statistically significant, p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

With interventional procedures, 48.5% of patients had a reduction in pain of more than 50%. The success rate was 66.7% in patients with radicular pain. Pain palliation was achieved in 28.8% of patients who underwent transforaminal epidural steroid injection, whereas in patients undergoing dorsal root ganglion pulsed radiofrequency, this rate was 44.4%. When the pain scores of patients with permanent spinal cord stimulator (SCS) were compared with other patient groups, permanent SCS was found to be statistically and clinically significant (p<0.001).

Post-laminectomy syndrome is not usually caused by a single pathology, and more than 1 intervention and recurrence are often needed. Post-laminectomy syndrome is a disease that requires a multidisciplinary approach and multiple treatment options must be decided according to the patient. More research is needed on treatment options.