Levator syndrome. A treatment that works.

Forty-five patients with levator syndrome were treated by high voltage electrogalvanic stimulation of the levator ani by means of an intra-anal probe. Voltage varied from 150 to 400 volts, depending on patient tolerance. Negative electrodes and 80 cycles per second were used for 20 minutes every other day. An average of five treatments was needed for complete pain relief. Excellent results (total pain relief) were obtained in 36 patients, good results in five, fair results in two, and poor results (no relief) in two. High voltage electrogalvanic stimulation is the treatment of choice for levator syndrome because it can be standardized, is well tolerated, and is over 90 percent effective.