Analysis on curative effect of nerve block combined with spinal cord stimulation for postherpetic neuralgia

Objective To observe the curative effect of nerve block combined with spinal cord stimulation (SCS) for postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). Methods A total of 135 patients with PHN were treated with nerve block combined with SCS. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was adapted to assess the degree of pain relief and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was applied to evaluate quality of sleep before treatment and 1, 3, 5, 7, 30 d after treatment. Treatment cycle was compared among different age subgroups. Results The effective rate of nerve block combined with SCS was 95.56% (129/135), and the total effective rate was 100% (135/135). There was significant difference on VAS (F = 46.891, P = 0.000) and PSQI (F = 55.993, P = 0.000) scores before and after treatment. The results showed that VAS score (t = 6.395, P = 0.012; t = 8.104, P = 0.000; t = 5.693, P = 0.013; t = 8.294, P = 0.000; t = 7.193, P = 0.007) and PSQI score (t = 7.142, P = 0.006; t = 3.959, P = 0.034; t = 7.142, P = 0.006; t = 3.959, P = 0.034; t = 8.104, P = 0.000) 1, 3, 5, 7 and 30 d after treatment were significantly lower than before treatment. The average treatment cycle was (15.97 ± 2.44) d, and there was significant difference on treatment cycle among different age subgroups (F = 9.184, P = 0.001). The treatment cycle in subgroup of ≤ 30 years was shortest (q = 4.593, P = 0.019; q = 5.693, P = 0.018; q = 4.583, P = 0.021; q = 7.204, P = 0.008; q = 5.593, P = 0.013), and the treatment cycle in subgroup of > 70 years was longest (q = 5.593, P = 0.013; q = 8.104, P = 0.000; q = 7.142, P = 0.006; q = 5.693, P = 0.011; q = 4.298, P = 0.033). Conclusions Nerve block combined with SCS in the treatment of PHN alleviates pain and improves the quality of sleep. It is expected to be an ideal method for clinical treatment of PHN. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1672-6731.2018.12.010