Deafferentation pain syndromes developing after peripheral nerve lesions ar
e difficult to treat. According to the follow-up (mean: 39.5 months) of 6 p
atients suffering from causalgic pain we will present our method of augment
ative therapy in chronic neuropathic pain caused by peripheral nerve lesion
s, i.e., peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS), spinal cord stimulation (SCS)
and chronic intrathecal opioid infusion. None of the patients showed intrao
perative or follow-up complications. Evaluated by visual analogue scales al
l patients reported a good to excellent pain relief (75-100%). (1) Regardin
g the favourable long-term results of PNS, this method should be considered
in cases of mononeuropathic pain syndromes. (2) Neuropathic pain syndromes
which are not assignable to a singular nerve lesion, can often be managed
effectively by SCS. (3) In contrast to the widespread opinion, deafferentat
ion pain syndromes of central or peripheral origin can be treated satisfact
orly by intrathecal opiate administration.