Percutaneous Lumbar Medial Branch Neurotomy Using Bovie Electrosurgical Unit

$Bovie^{(R)}$를 이용한 Percutaneous Lumbar Medial Branch Neurotomy

The first lesion in neural tissue produced by electrical currents were made in the 19th century by workers using direct current. In 1953, Sweet and Mark clearly demonstrated that DC lesions have unpredictable and ragged borders and may vary in size. They, as well as Hunsperger and Wyss, suggested that the use of high frequency currents might provide improved results and were proved correct. However, $Bovie^{(R)}$ electrosurgical unit may also be used in percutaneous medial branch neurotomy if a lesion made at a point or the dorsal surface of the transverse process just caudal to the most medial end of the superior edge of the transverse process (Bogduk's method). At this point the medial branch lies on the bone and its depth and medial displacement are defined by the bone which precludes the need for lateral radiographs to check placement. A lesion was made at same target point using the $Bovie^{(R)}$ electrosurgical unit in a 41 year male patient who had received a Kaneda operation because of L2 compression fracture. The patient was relieved of pain without any adverse effects.