• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.200-205
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• 1996

Radiofrequency thermocoagulation(RF) techniques are safe and effective methods as compared to neurodestructive procedure. Other advantages are: ability to perform RF lesions under local or sedative anesthesia, rapid recovery period, low incidence of morbidity and mortality, ability to repeat RF lesions, and leaves no significant scarring. We performed C2 ganglionotomy by RF lesion generator on a patient, suffering post-traumatic occipital neuralgia, as the patient did not respond to conservative therapies such as: trigger point injection, TENS, cryotherapy and stretch, occipital nerve block, C2 ganglion block. Prognostic nerve block was performed usng local anesthetics. Excellent effect was conformed before C2 ganglionotomy. This procedure was performed under fluoroscopy. Type RCK-2A Rosomoff Cordotomy kit was used to stabilize the head and neck. Postoperatively, the patient was free of occipital pain and head motions no longer triggered pain. To date, the patient remains symptom free except for some cervical discomfort.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.263-266
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• 2005

The ganglion impar is a solitary retroperitoneal structure at the caudal end of the paravertebral sympathetic chain. Block of this ganglion has been advocated as a means of managing intractable perineal pain. In 1990, Plancarte et al performed a neurolytic block of the ganglion impar using 4-6 ml of 10% phenol through the intergluteal skin over the anococcygeal ligament. However, technical difficulties are encountered with the placement of the needle while performing this technique, with complications from the injection of phenol also being a possibility. In 1995, a modified approach for blocking the ganglion impar through the sacrococcygeal ligament was introduced by Wemm and Saberski. We used a radiofrequency (RF) lesion generator to create a controlled and localized lesion with a lower incidence of neural damages compared to chemical neurolysis. RF thermocoagulation of the ganglion impar through the sacrococcygeal ligament was performed on a 70-year-old male patient with constant anal pain using a curved TEW electrode. The patient has been relieved of his pain, without serious complication. Therefore, this technique may be an easier and safer approach, which is associated with fewer chances of complications.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.415-418
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• 1996

The first reported the neural blockade of ganglion impar for pain control of perineal pain in 1990 by Plancarte and his fellows. they used 6ml of 10 percent phenol. but the point of issues, same as other neurolytics, are that it is impossible to check and control its spreading, so it might be possible to destruct the coccygeal plexus and sacral nerve, and also it has only short action time. Because of these problems, it could be very dangerous to attempt this procedure especially not for relieving the pain on cancer terminal patient, but for the sympathectomy of ganglion impar on the other purpose. We used the RF generator which had the control ability to point out the destructive lesion accurately. inserted We made the small burr hole on the sacrum near the sacrococcygeal junction directly, through the hole, and performed thermocoagulation to the ganglion impar.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.226-228
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• 1996

Rectal tenesmus is a persistent, painful and ineffectual sensation of straining at stool or opening of the bowels. The pain is usually spasmodic in nature and most commonly encountered in patients with carcinoma of the rectum or other pelvic organs. In 1988, Bristowand Foster reported that patients with severe spasmodic painful tenesmus were relieved with chemical sympathectomy. In 1990, Plancarte introduced block of Ganglion impar. This technique is proposed as an alternative means of managing localized perineal pain of sympathetic origin. Ganglion impar block was performed on a 54-year-old female patient when analgesic or psychotropic drugs failed to control the symptoms of post-traumatic severe spasmodic painful tenesmus. Postoperatively, patient was free of tenesmoid pain for only 7 days. We then performed neurotomy by RF lesion generator which provided complete pain relief.