A comparison of analgesic ablative and stimulation techniques.

In a comprehensive evaluation of the literature one finds that some of the older surgical pain operations show good results when applied critically. In case of malignant basic diseases, the destructive methods should be used. Central pain conditions are better influenced by the stimulation methods. For trigeminal neuralgia and radicular pain, peripheral procedures are advisable; only when these fail to show the desired results, central methods should be employed. Although the destructive methods show a higher rate of complications, the number of complications occurring in the stimulation methods should not be underestimated. Finally the costs of the stimulation units for suppression of pain which is required for only a few weeks or months appear to be very high, so that a decision is necessary in each individual case.