Comparative Outcome of Lidocaine Versus Bupivacaine for Cervical Medial Branch Block in Chronic Cervical Facet Arthropathy: A Randomized Double-Blind Study

- OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the effect of prolonged between lidocaine and bupivacaine for cervical medial - METHODS: Sixty-two patients diagnosed with chronic cervical facet syndrome were randomized into either lidocaine or bupivacaine groups. The therapeutic CMBB was performed under ultrasound guidance. Either 2% lidocaine or 0.5% bupivacaine with a volume of 0.5-1 mL per level was injected according to the patient's pain symptoms. The patients, pain assessor, and pain specialist were blinded. The primary outcome was the duration of pain reduction by at least 50%. The Numerical Rating Scale of 0-10 and the Neck Disability Index questionnaire were recorded. - RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the duration of 50% and 75% pain reduction and Neck Disability Index between the lidocaine and bupivacaine groups. Lidocaine provided significant pain reduction up to 16 weeks (P < 0.05) and significant improvement in neck functional outcomes up to 8 weeks (P < 0.01) compared to the baseline. While bupivacaine yielded significant pain alleviation for up to 8 weeks for pain upon neck mobilization (P < 0.05) and demonstrated notable improvement in neck function up to 4 weeks (P < 0.01) compared to the baseline.-CONCLUSION: CMBB using lidocaine or bupivacaine provided clinical benefits in prolonged analgesic effect and improving neck functions for chronic cervical facet syndrome. Lidocaine illustrated better performance and could be considered a local anesthetic of choice regarding the prolonged concordance response.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the effect of prolonged lidocaine and bupivacaine for cervical medial. The results showed that lidocaine and bupivacaine had similar effects in relieving pain, but lidocaine had a longer duration of analgesic effect and better improvement in neck function.