Abstract

ABEJON, D. et al. Treatment of perineal pain with thermocoagulation of the ganglion impar. Rev. Soc. Esp. Dolor [online]. 2007, vol.14, n.4, pp.290-295. ISSN 1134-8046.

Objective: This article evaluates the effectiveness and adverse effects of impar ganglion thermocoagulation by radiofrequency as perineal chronic pain treatment, that does not respond to another therapy. Material and Methods: We present an observational retrospective study from 2001 to 2006 in which, 35 patients with chronic perineal pain of diverse etiology and no satisfying response to any other therapy, were included. They all were undertaken a diagnostic blockade with local anaesthetics and corticosteroids. If it achieved a positive result (improvement >50%), conventional radiofrequency application was carried out. We measured pain in various moments after the technique: 1, 3, 6 and 12 months; also the reduction of the medications and adverse effects were evaluated. Statistical significance was assessed using the Mann-Whitney U-Test and T of Student for coupled samples, considering a statistically significant result p<0.05. Results: The diagnostic blockade was carried out in 35 patients, with a mean age of 53 years ±17; the IN basal was (of) 8,1±1,6 and descended to (into) 4,2±3,2 after the diagnostic blockade (p<0.001). The Rf was carried out in 21 patients. In the 14 (remainders) was not carried out the technique by negative blockade in 7 patients, complete improvement in 4 and the 3 remainders because of patient refusal. After carrying out the technique of Rf the IN diminished in the first month to 4,1±2,8; to 3,4±2,6 at 3 months, to 4.1 at 6 months and to 4,3 ± 2,7 at year; being statistically significant in every moment of the study. The relief was complete in 3 patients, in 11 a more than 50% and the remainder was observed less than the 50%. The reduction of the medication was observed in 9 of the 20 treated patients. No adverse effects were observed in any case. Conclusions: Impar ganglion thermocoagulatión is an effective method for the treatment of intractable perineal chronic pain syndromes after failure of more conventional, less invasive therapies.

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