Radiofrequency Denervation for Facet Syndrome: A Meta-Analysis of Treatment Outcomes

Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to carry out a systematic literature review on the facet syndrome and a meta-analysis of the outcomes of radiofrequency denervation in patients presenting with the syndrome. Methods A systematic literature review was performed based on 52 articles published from 1999 to 2013, available at Bireme, Scielo, PubMed, and MEDLINE databases. The meta-analysis comprises eight case-control studies, found during the literature review, totaling 440 patients. The heterogeneity of the collected data was assessed using the chi-square test (χ 2). To estimate the effect of the proposed correlation, we combined the values of each study with the Mantel-Haensze test, which has fixed effects, using the BioEstat 5.0 software. Results The selected studies were statistically relevant when grouped, determining an effect in favor of the use of facet denervation as a technique capable of relieving chronic low back pain in pre-determined periods of follow-up (OR = 1.251; 95% CI: 1.028–1.524). Conclusion The results of the systematic literature review and meta-analysis herein presented may be used for the creation of diagnosis and management protocols for facet syndrome, and can also attract the interest of other researchers to conduct further studies on the theme.