Abstract
Neurolytic blockade and neural blockade in general have come under scrutiny as the evidence-based medicine revolution moves forward. Prognostic nerve blocks with local anesthetic have been shown to correlate poorly with relief of chronic pain following nerve resection [1]. Numerous reasons exist to explain the discrepancy [2]. The purpose of this chapter is to describe the role of neurolytic blocks in clinical practice, making the point that the trend is shifting away from neurolytic solutions toward more controlled techniques. Factors producing the shift away from neurolytic solutions include 1) long-term follow-up information, 2) incidence and severity of complications, and 3) improved alternative treatments, including chronic opioid therapy and neuroaugmentation techniques.
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Racz, G., Heavner, J.E. & Noe, C.E. Do neurolytic blocks have a role in chronic nonmalignant pain?. Current Review of Pain 2, 181–186 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-998-0017-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-998-0017-2