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

Background and Aims Radiofrequency (RF) is the main treatment for patients suffering from low back pain originating in the lumbar facet joints; since there is lot of 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 lumbar medial branch; shared trough the Spanish pain society, 91 people answered it.

Results 13/91 perform one ultrasound-guided diagnostic block, 44/91 perform one fluoroscopy-guided block, 14/91 perform either one fluoroscopy or ultrasound-guided block depending on the patient and 6/91 perform two fluoroscopy-guided blocks. 55/91 do the parallel approach and 22/91 the perpendicular approach. 80/91 guide the RF with fluoroscopy, 8/91 with ultrasound and 3/91 combining ultrasound and fluoroscopy. 82/91 use conventional RF, 2/91 use cooled and 8/91 use pulsed. For cannula diameter, 12/91 use 22G, 39/91 use 20G, 42/91 use 18G and 3/91 use 16G. For active tip, 1/91 use 2mm, 15/91 use 5mm and 71/91 use 10mm. 11/91 use blunt-straight, 21/91 use sharp-straight, 25/91 use blunt-curved and 37/91 use sharp-curved. 6/91 apply the RF at 42°C, 8/91 at 45-60°C, 61/91 at 80°C, 12/91 at 85°C and 4/91 at 90°C. 3/91 apply 60 seconds of RF, 61/91 apply 90 seconds, 12/91 apply 120 seconds, 1/91 apply 150 seconds and 6/91 apply 180 seconds. 51/91 do one lesion, 16/91 two lesions and 15/91 three lesions.

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