The Relation of the Anatomic Morphology of Lumbar Transverse Processes and the Success Rate of Facet Joint Radiofrequency Denervation

Patients will be positioned prone on the operation table. Intravenous access is opened. Monitorization for vital signs is performed. Light sedation with midazolam is performed. Under fluoroscopic guidance, medial branch nerve of each lumbar facet joint is found by searching the specific response to the stimulations of the radiofrequency needle. When the tip of the radiofrequency needle is close enough to the corresponding medial branch nerve, ablation with 80 degrees Celsius for 90 seconds is performed. Average 6-10 nerves are ablated in each procedure and the average duration of the procedure is 20-60 minutes.

Patients are positioned prone on the operation table. Intravenous access is opened and monitorization of vital signs is applied. Skin is cleaned by povidone iodine solution. Light sedation is applied by midazolam. Lumbar vertebral region is seen under C-arm fluoroscopic view. Medial branch nerve of the lumbar facet joints is searched by 22 G width, 10-cm length radiofrequency needles. When the needle tip is close enough to the nerve, an 80 Celsius, 90-second radiofrequency ablation is applied. In each procedure, average 5-10 nerves is ablated and the duration of the procedure is 20-60 minutes.