Chordotomy

Cordotomy: a procedure to treat pain

Cordotomy is a medical procedure that is used to treat pain. It is carried out by cutting the intestinal cord in the spinal cord. This procedure allows you to block pain signals, thereby relieving pain and improving the patient’s quality of life.

Cordotomy can be performed either as a temporary measure to relieve pain or as a permanent solution for patients with chronic pain. It may be effective for treating pain caused by cancer, as well as pain associated with other diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and fibromyalgia.

The cordotomy procedure is performed under local or general anesthesia. The doctor makes a small incision in the skin and inserts a needle into the spinal canal. Electrical stimulation is then performed to determine the exact location of the intestinal string that needs to be cut. Once the location is determined, the string is cut using a special tool.

After the procedure, the patient may experience some side effects such as dizziness, nausea and vomiting. However, they usually pass quickly. Patients are advised to avoid strenuous exercise and vigorous shaking for several days after the procedure.

Like any other medical procedure, cordotomy has its risks, including infection, bleeding, and nerve damage. Therefore, it is important to discuss all possible risks and benefits with your doctor before undergoing this procedure.

Cordotomy is an effective pain treatment procedure that can help patients who are unable to obtain pain relief through other methods. However, it is not suitable for all patients, and the decision to undergo it must be made individually, taking into account all factors of the patient's health and condition.

Chordotomy (chordotomia; from the Greek chorde - intestine, string + Greek tome - incision, dissection) is a surgical operation on the spinal cord, which consists of cutting the conductors of pain sensitivity for pain relief.

The purpose of cordotomy is to interrupt the pathways of pain from the underlying parts of the body to the brain. This operation is used for inoperable tumors, injuries and other diseases that cause severe chronic pain.

During a cordotomy, the surgeon makes an incision in the posterior parts of the spinal cord, where the ascending pain pathways pass. Destruction or cutting of these nerve pathways results in loss of pain sensation in the corresponding areas of the body. Cordotomy can be performed at different levels of the spinal cord depending on the location of the pain syndrome.

Although cordotomy is usually effective in relieving pain, it is not without its disadvantages, as it disrupts normal sensation and can cause complications. Therefore, at present, this operation is used quite rarely, giving way to other methods of pain relief.