Endoscopic Rhizotomy for Facetogenic Back Pain: A Review of the History, Financial Considerations, Patient Selection Criteria and Clinical Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Chronic back pain (CBP) is a condition that places a considerable burden on society with several million people being affected in the US. Treatment options to address this problem and relieve CBP are constantly evolving, and one of the most promising treatment modalities for CBP that is refractory to conservative treatment options is endoscopic rhizotomy (ER).

METHODS: A thorough search of the PubMed (Medline) database was conducted with the intent to assess the full progression of ER from its earliest uses to present day in a historical narrative review of ER, with treatment of facetogenic pain as a model pathology.

RESULTS: ER allows for direct visualization and ablation of sensory branches of the dorsal ramus to provide pain relief in up to 80% of patients faced with refractory CBP. This technique has been built upon since the early 20th century and the novel endoscopic approach continues to gain popularity among physicians. Benefits of ER include superior post-operative median pain-free duration compared to traditional percutaneous radiofrequency ablation and direct visualization of regional anatomy. Patient selection criteria for the procedure and a modest list of contraindications allow ER to be a viable treatment option for a significant population of patients suffering from CBP. Potential barriers to ER include high cost of the procedure, longer intraoperative time, and expensive proprietary equipment.

CONCLUSIONS: ER is an effective treatment for refractory CBP with notable advantages. As the technology and popularity of this procedure progress, improvements in the cost, training, and intraoperative time may make it a favorable alternative to the current standard of care.