Review
The Racz catheter technique is not undisputed, especially with regard to the indication spectrum. Since it is an expensive, individual health service that cannot be paid for by the health insurance company, some claim that greed for profit has led to an unjustified expansion of the range of applications. Others doubt the effectiveness of the method itself.
Moreover, the frequently used drugs (hyaluronidase and 10% saline solution) are not approved for use in the spinal canal. The points of criticism are summarized below:
- Expensive surgical method
- No accounting via health insurance possible
- No approval of the drugs hyaluronidase and 10% saline solution for use in the spinal canal.
- No need for precise drug application
- X-ray exposure
- Risk of injury due to relatively rigid catheter system
- Chemical nerve irritation caused by the drugs hyaluronidase and 10% saline solution itself
- Insufficient scar tissue dissolving effect of hyaluronidase
- No persistent shrinkage of herniated discs due to 10% saline solution. Only short-term effect.
Complications
Complications are rare if hygiene is carefully observed and the surgeon is experienced. Possible complications are:
- InfectionMeningitis
- Hematomas in the spinal canal with pressure on the spinal cord due to a vascular injury
- Catheter-related injury to the spinal cord skin
- Catheter fractures.
- Application of medication and contrast medium into the spinal cord tube
- Neurological complications up to paraplegia
- Allergy to used drugs up to circulatory shock
Results
Since there are no placebo-controlled, prospective studies on the Racz catheter technique, its use is considered experimental.Various working groups have been able to demonstrate a positive benefit of this form of therapy for radicular pain.
