Value of Cordotomy for the Relief of Pain

Abstract

CORDOTOMY for the relief of intractable pain was first performed by Martin in 1911 and is now a well established procedure.1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Unfortunately, many patients are denied its benefits because of a lack of understanding of what may be expected from this operation. Both patients and physicians have a natural tendency to regard surgery as a radical step, and especially surgery on the central nervous system. Those who have had any experience with cordotomy are also aware that there is a certain incidence of failure and of complications of varying severity. To make the decision to take a specific therapeutic step . . .