Augmentative treatment of chronic deafferentation pain syndromes after peripheral nerve lesions

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.