| Objective: To compare the effect,safety and patient satisfaction of pulsed radiofrequency(PRF)combined with methylene blue paravertebral nerve block and PRF alone in the treatment of thoracic postherpetic neuralgia(PHN).Methods: One hundred and ten patients with thoracic PHN diagnosed in the Department of Pain Management of Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University,from September 2019 to April 2021,were enrolled for the study.And eighty-three patients met the inclusion criteria.Treated with PRF combined with paravertebral nerve block,patients were randomly divided into two groups.Group A: PRF treated group(n = 36).Group B:PRF + methylene blue paravertebral nerve block treated group(n = 36).Patients were followed-up at 1 day,1 week,1 month,3 months,and 6 months.Observation at each follow-up included basic patient characteristics,Visual Analog Scale(VAS),Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale(HAD),the insomnia severity index(ISI),pregabalin dosage,patient satisfaction,and complications.Results: Compared with preoperative values,the VAS scores significantly decreased in both groups at each post-operative time point(1 day,1 week,and 1,3,and 6 months;all P < 0.05).Compared with group A,VAS scores in group B were significantly lower at 1week and 1 month after surgery(P < 0.05).Patients in group B had lower HAD scores than those in group A at 1 week after surgery(P < 0.05).Patients in group B had lower ISI scores than group A at 1 day,1 week,and 1,3,and 6 months after surgery(P < 0.05).Pregabalin dosage: the dosage in group B was lower than group A at 1 and 6 months after surgery(P < 0.05).Patient satisfaction was higher in group B than in group A at 1 week and 6 months after surgery(P < 0.05).There were no serious complications or side effects in both groups.Conclusion: Pulsed radiofrequency combined with methylene blue paravertebral nerve block is superior to pulsed radiofrequency alone in the treatment of thoracic PHN,which can significantly relieve PHN and improve the condition of sleep and emotional disorders.Therefore,it is a safe and effective treatment method. |
