Laparoscopic Uterine Nerve Ethanol Neurolysis (LUNEN) in Patients with Chronic Pelvic Pain

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of laparoscopic uterine nerve ethanol neurolysis (LUNEN) for pain management in patients with chronic pelvic pain (CPP).Methods: LUNEN, as a chemical neurolysis procedure, was performed on 22 subjects, and these were compared with 20 controls that had a diagnostic laparoscopy alone. Pre-treatment and postoperative 6 th month Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores were estimated and a subjective pain evaluation questioning patients' satisfaction about pain relief in the 6th month after surgery was also performed.Results: A total of 31 (73.8%) out of 42 CPP patients had a laparoscopic pelvic pathology. Preoperative VAS scores were similar in the groups; however, the mean postoperative VAS score was significantly lower in the LUNEN group than in the control group (3.18 ± 2.88 vs. 5.35 ± 3.09; p=0.02). In the LUNEN group, the number of patients who stated that their pain was relieved partially or completely was also significantly higher than in the control group (82% vs. 40%, p=0.019). Conclusion:LUNEN is a feasible, safe and effective surgical alternative to traditional surgical methods in patients suffering from CPP. J Clin Exp Invest 2016; 7 (1): 7-13