Application for ESRA Abstract Prizes: I apply as an Anesthesiologist (Aged 35 years old or less)

Background and Aims Radiofrequency (RF) is an effective treatment for patients suffering from cervical pain originating in the facet joints; since there is some variability in performing the technique, our objective is to analyse it current situation in Spain.

Methods We have performed a survey to analyse the situation of the use of RF to treat the cervical medial branch; shared trough the Spanish pain society, 91 people answered it.

Results 15/91 perform one ultrasound-guided diagnostic block, 30/91 perform one fluoroscopy-guided block, 15/91 perform either one fluoroscopy or ultrasound-guided block depending on the patient, 5/91 perform two fluoroscopy-guided blocks and 1/91 perform two ultrasound-guided blocks. 35/91 do the parallel approach and 27/91 the perpendicular approach. 57/91 guide the RF with fluoroscopy, 22/91 with ultrasound, 10/91 combining ultrasound and fluoroscopy and 1 with CT. 58/91 use conventional and 27/91 use pulsed. For cannula diameter, 17/91 use 22G, 44/91 use 20G, 16/91 use 18G and 1/91 use 16G. For active tip, 3/91 use 2mm, 50/91 use 5mm and 26/91 use 10mm. 15/91 use blunt-straight, 30/91 use sharp- straight, 13/91 use blunt-curved and 19/91 use sharp-curved. 27/91 apply the RF at 42°C, 9/91 at 45-60°C, 45/91 at 80°C, 4/91 at 85°C and 1/91 at 90°C. 1/91 apply 60 seconds of RF, 50/91 apply 90 seconds, 9/91 apply 120 seconds, 1/91 apply 150 seconds and 6/91 apply 180 seconds. 49/91 do one lesion, 13/91 two lesions and 11/91 three lesions.

Conclusions We need to stablish the best form to perform RF for treating cervical pain originating in the cervical facet joints.