Comparison of Satisfaction Level Using Likert Scale among Patients of Chronic Pelvic Pain in Pulsed Radiofrequency Ablation versus Thermal Radiofrequency Ablation of Ganglion Impar

Abstract

The present study was done to compare the Satisfaction level using Likert Scale among patients of chronic pelvic pain in pulsed radiofrequency ablation versus thermal radiofrequency ablation of Ganglion Impar. Material and Methods: The present study was prospective, randomized, single blinded study and was based on series of 30 patients presenting with chronic pelvic pain , having already failed conservative medical management, presenting in Pain clinic if IGMC Shimla. The patients were divided into 2 groups of 15 patients. Patients in Group A(n=15) were given thermal radiofrequency ablation where as patients in Group B were given pulsed radiofrequency ablation.Results: Mean age (in years) in group A and B was found to be 47.60± 6.833 and 42.67±7.807 years respectively. The p value was calculated to be 0.76 which was found to be statistically non significant. According to Post 24 Hours Likert scale, in Group A, 2(13.3%) patients were satisfied and 13(86.7%) were very satisfied while in Group B, 1(6.7%) patient was neutral , 10(66.7%) were satisfied and 4(26.7%) patients were very satisfied. (P= 0.004). According to Post 1 week Likert scale, in Group A, 2(13.3%) patients were satisfied and 13(86.7%) were very satisfied while in Group B, 1(6.7%) patient was neutral , 9(60.0%) were satisfied and 5(33.3%) patients were very satisfied.(p=0.011) Similarly 100% of the patients of group A were satisfied with the procedure as compared to patients of group B 3 weeks after the procedure.( p =0.011). Conclusion: Present study showed that mean Post Procedural satisfaction level using Likert Scale (24 Hours, 1,2 AND 3 week) was significantly more in group A as compared to group B. we can conclude that thermal radiofrequency ablation of ganglion impar for chronic pelvic pain produces better satisfaction level in the patients as compared to patients who were treated with pulsed radio frequency ablation.