Dorsal rhizotomy for the relief of chronic pain

Abstract

✓ A retrospective study of 45 patients who had dorsal rhizotomies for relief of chronic pain is reported. The overall long-term success rate was 28% although initial results were much more favorable. The long-term results were correlated with a variety of preoperative and operative factors. Sex, age, history of narcotic use, compensation, number of roots cut, duration of pain, level of roots cut, effect of nerve blocks, or prior surgery for pain did not seem to influence the long-term results. The presence of arachnoiditis or pain subsequent to disc disease was associated with poorer results. Pain secondary to a malignancy responded better to this operation. The potential causes of operative failure are discussed.