J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  2002 Mar;31(3):230-233.

The Results of DREZ Operation on Deafferentation Pain

• Hwang SN
• Kim YB
• Park SW
• Choi DY

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The authors present dorsal root entry zone(DREZ) operations on deafferentation pain patients suffered from brachial plexus avulsion(BPA), phantom pain(PP) and postherpetic pain(PHP).
METHODS
Eight patients(Six BPA, one PP and one PHP) underwent DREZ operations on the cervical, thoracic and thoracolumbar spinal cords. The patients were 7 men and 1 woman who were in between thirties and sixties. The lesions were made by inserting 2mm bare tip of standard type DREZ electrode connected to Radionics radiofrequency generator into the DREZ 45 degree off the sagittal plane. The tissue was heated to 75degrees C for 15 seconds.
RESULTS
All BPA patients had immediate and long-lasting pain relief regardless of the duration and character of the pain but patients with PP and PHP complained rather aggravation of pain after the operation.
CONCLUSION
DREZ operation is effective for BPA pain, however, it needs to have attention in performing this surgery for PP or PHP.

Keyword

DREZ operation; Brachial plexus avulsion; Phantom pain; Postherpetic pain

MeSH Terms

Brachial Plexus
Causalgia*
Electrodes
Female
Hot Temperature
Humans
Male
Phantom Limb
Spinal Cord
Spinal Nerve Roots