Analgesia Peridural Associada a Rizotomia Química na Terapêutica de Pacientes Idosos com Lombalgia Crônica

Introduction: Low back pain is a frequent cause of morbidity and incapacity and the spine facet joint dysfunction is one of the main causes. Objective: This paper aims to report the results obtained in the treatment of the elderly who suffer from chronic low back pain with epidural anesthesia associated to percutaneous chemical rhizotomy of facet joint. Methods: Inclusion criteria was patients who suffer from low back pain. The numerical scale of pain (NSP) was applied to analysis in the preoperative and postoperative pain in outpatients. The patients were submitted to epidural anesthesia associated to percutaneous chemical rhizotomy of facet joint bilaterally with intraoperative radioscopy aid. Results: This paper consisted of 19 patients. Mean scores were 8.2 and 1.8 points in the preoperative and postoperative period, respectively. The average follow-up was 50 months. There was no death or complication during and after the procedure, and patients were discharged on the day of admission. Conclusion: The shorter hospitalization stay, safety and low cost are favorable points of this therapy. This neurosurgical techniques association is presented as a promising therapeutic option for low back pain.