Dorsal column stimulation in XXXX treatment.

@entity1 @entity615 @entity1118 @entity158
Thirty-five @entity1 with @entity1118 were treated by electrical stimulation of the dorsal columns through implanted epidural electrodes. In 5, such stimulation had minimal @entity158 -reducing effect during an immediate postoperative trial period, and the electrodes were removed. In the remaining 30, an electrode system for chronic stimulation was implanted. Four of these died of related or unrelated causes. The electrode system was removed in 2 @entity1 due to infections, and in 1 due to mechanical discomfort. The remaining 23 @entity1 answered a questionnaire concerning the @entity158 reducing effect of stimulation (4-60 months postoperatively, median 15 months). The group as a whole estimated the @entity158 reducing effect of stimulation as weak. Only 10 @entity1 (43.5%) used the stimulator regularly. Even in these @entity1 , the @entity158 -reducing effect was limited. @entity615 after repeated back surgery responded relatively better to stimulation than did the other cases. Phantom limb @entity158 was most resistant. The modest results suggest future restriction on the use of such stimulation.
