Abstract:

Background: This study is performed to evaluate the treatment of complex regional pain syndrome CRPS type 1 with radiofrequency thermo coagulation of stellate ganglion block and T2-T3 sympathetic block.

Material and methods: We performed diagnostic stellate ganglion block in all patient with CRPS TYPE 1 in one hand. Those patients reduce 50% in pain score e.g. VAS SCORE, was considered for RF stelleate ganglion block after 1 week and this is GROUP 1. Those patients reduce less than 50% pain score was considered for diagnostic T2-T3 sympathetic block after 1 week. Those patients reduce 50% in pain score e.g. VAS SCORE, was considered for RF T2-T3 sympathetic block after 1 week and this is GROUP 2. Pain intensity using a visual analog score also assessed usage of analgesic dosages before and after RF in both groups.

Results: Treatment produced a significant decrease in pain score, VAS value in both groups and significant reduce the dosages of analgesic drugs in both groups.

Conclusion: The study of these 17 patients shows that there is chance of inadequate pain relief after satisfactory stellate ganglion block because of KUNTZ’S nerve and giving T2-T3 sympathetic block among this gives good pain relief. Also RF in stellate ganglion and T2-T3 sympathetic ganglion block gives long term pain relief and decrease analgesic dosages and thus improves quality of life.

Keywords: Complex regional pain syndrome type 1, Stellate ganglion block, T2-T3 sympathetic block, RF-radiofrequency, VAS score, analgesic drugs

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