ArticleAsian spine journal2026
Analgesic efficacy of inhaled methoxyflurane during transforaminal epidural steroid injection for lumbar radiculopathy: a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial.
Article in Asian spine journal, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Abstract
STUDY
designRandomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of inhaled methoxyflurane for pain relief during transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI) in patients with lumbar radiculopathy. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: TFESI is a common intervention for lumbar radiculopathy, but procedural pain remains a concern. Methoxyflurane is a rapid-onset, inhaled analgesic with a favorable safety profile. While its effectiveness in procedural pain relief has been demonstrated in other medical settings, its role in TFESI remains underexplored.
methodsSixty patients undergoing TFESI were randomized to receive inhaled methoxyflurane or placebo before the procedure. Pain intensity was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at multiple time points during and after TFESI. Secondary outcomes included patient and physician satisfaction, as well as the incidence of adverse events. Renal and hepatic function parameters were evaluated pre- and post-procedure to assess safety.
resultsThe methoxyflurane group reported significantly lower worst pain scores during TFESI compared to placebo (3.33±0.70 vs. 5.71±1.23, p <0.01), with sustained pain relief for up to 60 minutes post-procedure. Adverse events in the methoxyflurane group were mild and self-limiting (dizziness, nausea/vomiting, and dry mouth), occurring in 10% of patients. No significant between-group differences were observed in renal or hepatic function indices. Patient satisfaction was significantly higher with methoxyflurane (96.67%) than with placebo.
conclusionsInhaled methoxyflurane is a safe and effective analgesic for TFESI, offering significant procedural pain reduction and high patient satisfaction, while maintaining a favorable safety profile.
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