Publication:

Long-term outcomes of caudal epidural steroid injection in failed back surgery syndrome patients with loss of resistance technique

Background Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) is a complicated issue with various treatment approaches. This retrospective study assesses the success and safety of caudal epidural steroid injection (CESI) in FBSS patients utilizing the loss of resistance (LOR) strategy, focusing on long-term outcomes lasting up to two years.

Methods The 75 FBSS patients had CESI with triamcinolone and normal saline under local anesthesia. The visual analog score (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), and patient satisfaction score (PSS) were measured at pre-intervention and 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months following the procedure.

Result Majority of patients (57.33%) reported bilateral sciatica, with recurrent disc herniation (54.67%) being the most prevalent MRI finding. Significant improvements (p<0.001) in VAS, ODI, and PSS scores were seen in all subsequent periods. Furthermore, no significant issues reported, demonstrating the safety and effectiveness of CESI with LOR.

Conclusions CESI with the LOR technique is helpful treatment in FBSS at three, six, twelve, eighteen, and twenty-four months. It is easy to perform, less technically demanding, has low complications, and lower costs than surgery.     A CESI may offer an alternative approach to managing FBSS for short-term and long-term outcomes.