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Lumbar radiofrequency sympatholysis
1Department of Anesthesiology, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas.
Purpose:
The purpose of this article is to present a modified technique for lumbar radiofrequency sympatholysis and to compare the results with chemical sympatholysis.
Methods:
Eight patients underwent the percutaneous procedure on an outpatient basis. Sympatholysis was produced with a radiofrequency lesion generator according to distinct anatomic criteria.
Results:
Six of eight patients met previously used criteria for sympatholysis 8 weeks after the procedure. Postsympatholytic neuralgia occurred transiently in 50% of patients.
Conclusions:
The technique produces sympatholysis comparable to that produced by phenol 6%, while it theoretically avoids the risk of neurologic deficits associated with chemical agents. The technique may be useful in patients for whom surgical sympathectomy is undesirable.