1. 2021;24;E367-E375Feasibility of Ultrasound-Guided Peritoneal Perfusion with Ozone in the Treatment of Chronic Pelvic Pain: A Bicenter Retrospective Analysis
   Retrospective Study
   John P. Williams, MD, Jian-Xiong An, MD, PhD, Cai-Cai Liu, MD, Yong Wang, MD, Qian-Nan Zhao, MD, Hui Liu, MD, Xiao-Yan Qian, CRNA, Tong Li, MD, and Man-Yu Zhang, MD.

BACKGROUND: Numerous therapies have been developed for the treatment of chronic pelvic pain (CPP). Oxygen-ozone therapy is a new method for the treatment of CPP.

OBJECTIVES: This article evaluated the feasibility of ultrasound-guided peritoneal perfusion with ozone in patients with CPP.

STUDY DESIGN: This is a bicenter retrospective study.

SETTING: The study was conducted at 2 pain centers of a university hospital.

METHODS: The medical records of patients with CPP (n = 60) from March 2016 until October 2018 were collected and reviewed. Group A contained 19 patients who were treated with a 1500 mcg dose of ozonated water (10 mcg/mL concentration and 150 mL volume), group B contained 23 patients using the same dose of ozonated water but a 15 mcg/mL concentration and 100 mL volume. Group C included 18 patients using a similar ozone dose but delivered in an oxygen-ozone mixture (15 mcg/mL concentration and 100 mL volume oxygen-ozone mixture). Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores for pain of the 3 groups were compared at pretreatment, posttreatment, 1, 3, and 6 months posttreatment. The injection pain was evaluated using a 4-point verbal rating scale. Quality of life (QoL), anxiety, and depression were assessed at pretreatment and at 6 months posttreatment.

RESULTS: The VAS scores of the 3 groups decreased over time following treatment. Group A showed much higher pain scores compared with groups B and C at 1, 3, and 6 months posttreatment. However, the injection pain for groups B and C was higher than group A, but there was no difference seen between group B and C. At 6 months posttreatment, the QoL for all patients improved compared with pretreatment, whereas the anxiety and depression did not demonstrate differences.

LIMITATIONS: The main limitations of this study are the retrospective study design, limited case number, and short follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound-guided peritoneal perfusion with ozone is a feasible therapy for patients with CPP.

KEY WORD: Chronic pelvic pain, ozone, peritoneal perfusion