OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate whether sympathetic skin response (SSR) was affected in cases with failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS). METHODS Twenty-nine cases admitted to our department and diagnosed as FBSS were recruited for the study. All the cases had back, leg or back and leg pain in the months or in one year following spinal surgery. The control group consisted of...

Methods. Patients with severe symptoms of FBSS who did not respond to other treatments were included. Lumbar epiduroscopy was performed via interlaminar approach through a 14 G epidural needle under fluoroscopy. A flexible, 0.77 mm, endoscope was introduced through a 4F catheter into the epidural space and advanced in a cephalad direction. Flushes of normal saline through the catheter (via a Y-...

BACKGROUND An intravenous infusion of lidocaine has been used on numerous occasions to produce analgesia in neuropathic pain. In the cases of failed back surgery syndrom, the pain generated as result of abnormal impulse from the dorsal root ganglion and spinal cord, for instance as a result of nerve injury may be particularly sensitive to lidocaine. The aim of the present study was to identify ...

Epiduroscopy (EDS) allows diagnosis and treatment of spinal nerve root pathology by a fiberoptic device inserted percutaneously in the epidural space. Transient global amnesia syndrome (TGA) is defined by an abrupt onset of an anterograde and retrograde amnesia that lasts up to 24 h, although mild subclinical neuropsychological deficits, with concomitant vegetative symptoms, can last for days a...

BACKGROUND Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) is a cause of significant morbidity for up to 40% of patients following spine surgery, and is estimated to cost almost $20 billion. Treatment options for these patients currently include conventional medical management (CMM), repeat operation, or spinal cord stimulation (SCS). Much of the published data regarding cost effectiveness of SCS comprise ...

A decision analytic study was conducted using computer simulation to project the outcomes in a simulated cohort of patients whose treatment for back surgery had failed. The objective of this study was to estimate the direct cost of intrathecal morphine therapy (IMT) delivered via an implantable pump relative to alternative therapy (medical management) over a 60-month course of treatment. IMT ad...

OBJECTIVE The authors show the clinical evaluation and follow-up results in 56 patients diagnosed with a failed back surgery pain syndrome. METHODS Descriptive and prospective study conducted over a one-year period. In this study, 56 patients with a failed back surgery pain syndrome were assessed in our facility. The age ranged from 28 to 76 years (mean, 48.8 ± 13.9 years). The pain was asses...

CONTEXT Previous studies on the effect of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) therapy on chronic pain syndromes have been hampered by study design. OBJECTIVE To evaluate short-term efficacy of MBSR therapy for improving quality of life in adults with failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS). DESIGN A single-center, prospective, randomized, single-blind, parallel-group clinical trial. PAT...

BACKGROUND Epiduroscopy is a relatively new diagnostic and therapeutic technique used in patients with chronic low back pain with or without radiculopathy. We present our experience with a new interlaminar approach in patients with failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS). METHODS Patients with severe symptoms of FBSS who did not respond to other treatments were included. Lumbar epiduroscopy was p...

CRD summary The aim was to assess the cost-effectiveness of spinal cord stimulation compared with conventional medical management or reoperation, for patients with failed back surgery syndrome. The authors concluded that spinal cord stimulation was a cost-effective addition to conventional medical management and alternative to reoperation, for these patients. The methods and the reporting of th...