• Alp Eren Celenlioglu, Savas Sencan, Serhad Bilim, Mert Sancar, and Osman Hakan Gunduz.
• Department of Pain Medicine, Health Sciences University Gulhane Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
• Pain Physician. 2022 Mar 1; 25 (2): 161-169.

BackgroundEpidural fibrosis (EF) is one of the leading causes of post lumbar surgery syndrome (PLSS). Although there are studies in the literature suggesting that lumbar epidural steroid injections are an effective method in the pain management of PLSS caused by EF, no study is available comparing the effectiveness and safety of caudal and transforaminal approaches.ObjectivesTo investigate the efficacy of caudal epidural steroid injection (CESI) versus transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI) in patients with PLSS.Study DesignA prospective, randomized, assessor-blind study.SettingInterventional pain management center at a tertiary care center.MethodsPatients with low back and radicular pain related to EF following single-level lumbar discectomy were included. The patients were randomly divided into 2 groups: a CESI group and a TFESI group. All patients were assessed before the procedure (baseline) and at one hour, 3 weeks, and 3 months after the procedure using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS-11) and at baseline, 3 weeks, and 3 months using the modified Oswestry Disability Index (mODI). Treatment success was defined as a >= 50% decrease in the NRS-11 scores compared to baseline.ResultsA total of 56 patients (n = 26 CESI group; n = 30 TFESI group) were included. NRS-11 and mODI scores showed a significant decline in both groups at all follow-ups (P < 0.001). At 3 weeks, the improvement in the mODI scores was significantly higher in the TFESI group (P = 0.020). In all follow-ups, the NRS-11 scores were similar between the groups. At 3 weeks, the rates of patients with a >= 50% decrease in NRS-11 scores were 53.8% and 60% in the CESI group and TFESI group, respectively, while these rates were 30% and 26.7%, respectively, at 3 months.LimitationsThis study had no placebo-control group and a relatively short follow-up.ConclusionBoth CESI and TFESI are effective and safe methods in the treatment of PLSS caused by EF following lumbar discectomy. These methods can reduce pain and disability. Although both methods have similar treatment success rates, TFESI seems to be a more effective treatment method in reducing disability at 3-week follow-up.

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