Early Outcomes of Cervical Interlaminar Epidural Steroid Injection Under Mild-to-Moderate Sedation: A Retrospective Cohort Study

ALTUN H. İ., ALTUN G., Eren F. A.

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF THERAPEUTICS, 2026 (ESCI, TRDizin)

Abstract

Objective: The role of sedation during cervical interlaminar epidural steroid injections remains controversial in terms of patient comfort and procedural safety. This study aimed to present the early clinical outcomes of cervical interlaminar epidural steroid injections performed under sedation in patients with cervical radiculopathy. Methods: This retrospective observational study included 44 patients who underwent cervical interlaminar epidural steroid injections under sedation. Pain intensity was assessed before the procedure and at 4 hours after the procedure using the NRS-11, and post-procedural patient satisfaction was evaluated using a Likert scale. Cumulative radiation dose, fluoroscopy time, and intra-procedural complications were analyzed. Mild-to-moderate sedation was targeted, and the Modified Observer's Assessment of Alertness/Sedation Scale (MOAA/S) was used to assess the level of sedation. Results: At 4 hours post-procedure, a significant decrease in NRS-11 scores was observed compared with pre-procedure scores. Most patients reported high post-procedure satisfaction. No major complications were observed during the study period, and the minor side effects were transient. However, due to the retrospective nature of the study and the absence of a comparison group without sedation, the findings cannot be considered to definitively reflect the effect of sedation. Conclusion: Cervical interlaminar epidural steroid injections administered with mild-to-moderate sedation were associated with early pain reduction and high patient satisfaction. However, given the limitations of the present study, these findings should be interpreted with caution, and prospective, controlled studies are required to determine the true contribution of sedation.