Lumbar radiofrequency sympatholysis.

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.