Control of pain by direct electrical stimulation of peripheral nerves.

Our results after implanting electrodes around peripheral nerves in 69 patients over a 10 year period are only fair with but 17 individuals maintaining relief until death or until the present time. Thirteen others had weeks or months of temporary relief. A continuing use of transcutaneous and better still of percutaneous electrodes to guide the decision regarding implantation is almost certainly advisable. Intensive efforts in laboratory animal studies with models of chronic pain are needed to improve our understanding of exactly what we should be doing. Empirical sustained work with the individual patient is likely to improve the figures we have presented, even in our present state of ignorance.