• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.191-194
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• 1999

Background: Millions of patients with chronic sciatica are still treated with epidural corticosteroids. The efficacy of epidural corticosteroids remains questionable, especially in the failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS). We studied to evaluate outcome for 10 patients with failed back surgery syndrome treated with spinal nerve root block using corticosteroids, hyaluronidase, and local anesthetics. Methods: The affected nerve roots are localized with the help of fluoroscopy and contrast dye. Local anesthetic diluted in 1,500 U hyaluronidase and 40 mg methylprednisolone is injected. A small retrospective pilot group of 10 patients with FBSS was treated. The success rate is evaluated using a visual analogue scale at 1 week and 3 month interval after the last injection. Results: Initially, 7 patients experienced good pain relief; 5 patients suspained pain relief for 3 months. No complications were observed. Conclusions: This technique is worthwhile for patients with FBSS and where epidural fibrosis is suspected to be the pain origin.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.123-126
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• 2006

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has been used since 1967 for refractory chronic pain. SCS has recently undergone a variety of technical modifications and advances, and it has been applied in a variety of pain conditions. SCS has been most commonly applied for those patients with chronic back and leg pain and failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS). The clinical hallmark of FBSS is chronic postoperative pain. The pain pattern varies and the pain may show an axial or radicular distribution. Chronic intractable pain after FBSS is difficult to treat. This report describes our experience with treating chronic pain in two patients who suffered from FBSS with a spinal cord stimulator. A permanent spinal cord stimulator was implanted after a successful trial of stimulation with temporarily implanted electrodes. After 5 months of follow-up, the two patients had satisfactory improvement of their pain.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.233-244
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• 2011

Objectives : To evaluate the effectiveness of direct moxibustion in patients with failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS). Methods : 5 patients (3 females and 2 males) with FBSS underwent direct moxibustion on ouch points (阿是穴) for 10 to 15 weeks (once a week). The effectiveness of the treatment was evaluated with NRS (numerical rating scale), ODI (Oswestry disability index), BDI (Beck depression inventory) score, SF-36 (short form 36 health survey) score and PSQI (Pittsburgh sleep quality index) before and after the treatment. Results : Within observation period, average value changed from 10.0 to 4.2 in NRS of pain, from 37.0 to 20.6 in ODI, from 20.6 to 12.0 in BDI score, 42.2 to 62.6 in SF-36 score, and from 8.6 to 5.2 in PSQI. Conclusions : Direct moxibustion on FBSS patients showed more or equivalent effectiveness when compared to conventional FBSS treatment modalities.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.734-742
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• 2001

Objective : To evaluate the role of anterior lumbar interbody fusion in treatment of failed back surgery syndrome, the authors retrospectively analyzed the result of anterior lumbar interbody fusion performed in our institute. Methods : Fifteen FBSS patients due to variable causes have been treated with anterior lumbar interbody fusion in our institute from April 1994 to June 1999. We analyzed clinical changes in 15 patients who were followed up for an average of 23 months. Results : The etiologies of FBSS were post operative discitis(6 cases), post operative instability(3 cases), post operative adhesion(5 cases), and recurrence(1 case). These fifteen FBSS patients were treated with anterior lumbar interbody fusion. The overall treatment outcome was satisfactory(excellent and good) in 11 cases. Three patients were slightly improved, but post operative low back pain was remained. One patient who had underwent nerve root injury due to pedicle screw insertion showed no improvement. Conclusion : We conclude that the anterior lumbar interbody fusion for FBSS seems to be safe and favorable treatment in selective patients, because low incidence of nerve injury risk and post-operative infection.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.57-68
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• 2010

Objectives : The propose of this study is to find out the clinical application of conservative treatment for Failed Back Surgery Syndrome(FBSS) patients. Methods : We examined 3 patients with Failed Back Surgery Syndrome(FBSS) who visited Jaseng Hospital of Oriental Medicine. We used Acupuncture, Bee venom, CHUNA manual therapy, Herbal medication for this patient. And we measured of NRS score to evaluate the conservative treatment effects. Results : In this study, patients sciatica and symptoms has improved. NRS score were also decreased. Conclusions : Conservative oriental medical treatment can be effective for improving symptoms of Failed Back Surgery Syndrome.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.67-75
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• 2006

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical effect of moxibustion treatment for FBSS patients by VAS. Methods : This clinical study was carried out for 51 cases with FBSS, who had been treated from January, 2003 to October, 2005, in oriental medical clinic. The patients were treated by the moxibustion during 8 weeks on the pain region of lower back or legs. We measured the effects of treatment by VAS. SPSS( Statistical Program for Social Science) for Windows was used for statistical analysis and repeated measures ANOVA was performed to gauge the improvement of VAS. Results : 1. We investigated 25 female and 26 male patients. The age distribution was from early 20's to 70's, among which 50's were most common. 2. The worsening factors are usually overwork and heavy lifting, but the main reason is unknown. 3. According to VAS, The patients with FBSS were improved by moxibustion treatment. Conclusion : Through this research, moxibustion therapy is considered to be effective and safe method for FBSS(Failed Back Surgery Syndrome). Moxibustion treatment had some problems that should be overcome such as severe pain and burning. Therefore we should pay more attention.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.105-111
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• 2011

Objects : This study was to report a clinical effect of Chuna Treatment for HIVD-cervical spine Failed Back Surgery Syndrome(FBSS) patient. Methods : In order to alleviate both arm tingling, numbness and neck stiffness, the patient was treated by acupuncture therapy, cervical traction technique of Chuna treatment and conservative managements. To evaluate the effect of the treatment, Recovery rate of Hirabayashi, Verbal Numerical Rating Scale(VNRS) and Neck Disability Index(NDI) score were used. Results : VNRS and NDI were improved and Recovery rate was 100%. Conclusions : Korean Treatment can be effectively used for a patient with HIVD-cervical spine FBSS patient. Further clinical studies are needed to verify the findings.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.203-209
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• 2000

Objective : The authors retrospectively analysed the factors affecting the favorable outcomes in the treatment of the Failed Back Surgery Syndrome(FBSS) or six years. Method : From March 1991 to December 1996, seventy-five patients were diagnosed as FBSS and its incidence was 3.4% of admitted patients with back pain in our department. We analysed the demographic data, etiologies, clinical menifestations, outcomes according to methods of operation, numbers of previous surgery, and time intervals between initial operation and final operation. Result : The most common etiology and previous surgical method of FBSS were insufficient surgery(54.7%) and partial laminectomy(53.3%). Patients were managed as followings ; Total laminectomy and spinal fusion with instrument in 41 cases(54.7%), total laminectomy without fusion in 23 cases(30.7%), and only partial laminectomy in 11 cases(14.7%). The overall treatment outcome was satisfactory in 48 cases(64%). Satisfactory results were observed in those patients who were treated by spinal fusion after complete laminectomy(34 cases), who had underwent only one operation previously(45 cases), and when the time interval between the initial operation and reoperation is shorter than 12 months(43 cases). Conclusion : The treatment outcome in FBSS was favorable in cases of the complete total laminectomy and spinal fusion with instrument, only one previous back surgery, and short time interval between initial and final operations.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.159-169
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• 2022

Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) is a term that applies to symptoms such as persistent or recurring low back pain, paresthesia, sciatica, or numbness after spine surgery. Electroacupuncture (EA) has been reported to have excellent analgesic effects although there have been no systematic reviews on the effects of EA on FBSS. Therefore, a systematic review and meta-analysis of the effectiveness of EA on FBSS was conducted. Eight databases were searched for studies that used EA for FBSS and 7 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included. RCTs of EA as combination therapy for FBSS compared with conventional treatment demonstrated improvement in the level of pain, lumbar functional scale scores, and quality of life. However, meta-analysis showed that reduction in pain was not statistically significant, while evaluation of lumbar function significantly improved, although the quality of evidence in the RCTs was generally low. RCTs comparing EA alone with conventional treatment demonstrated an improved level of pain, lumbar function, and effective rate of treatment. Meta-analysis showed that pain was significantly decreased in the EA alone group compared with the control group, although the quality of evidence was low. To improve the quality of evidence, high-quality RCTs are required in the future.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.73-83
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• 2024

Background: Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) is a chronic condition that is characterized by persistent back pain following one or more spinal surgeries. Pharmacological interventions, such as the use of opioids and gabapentinoids, are frequently used in the treatment of FBSS. However, prolonged and excessive use of these medications can lead to dependence and adverse effects. This study investigates trends in opioid and gabapentinoid prescriptions among patients with FBSS in Korea from 2016 to 2020. Methods: Data from the Health Insurance and Review Agency were analyzed, and claims listing FBSS were selected for the study. Prescription patterns of opioids and gabapentinoids were classified based on the number of days prescribed per year. Results: Of the 390,095 patients diagnosed with FBSS, 41.6% of the patients were prescribed gabapentinoids, and 42.0% of them were prescribed opioids, while 10.6% of the patients were classified as long-term gabapentinoid users, 11.4% as long-term opioid users, and 7.4% of the patients were found to have long-term prescriptions for both drugs. The proportion of patients who received both gabapentinoid and opioid prescriptions increased annually. The doses of opioids prescribed have also increased along with the increase in the number of patients receiving opioid prescriptions. Conclusions: The prescription rates of opioids and gabapentinoids among patients with FBSS in Korea continue to increase steadily, posing potential risks of addiction and adverse effects. Further research is needed to better understand the actual status of addiction in patients with FBSS.