Limited myelotomy for the treatment of intractable cancer pain.

In midline myelotomy a small mechanical or radiofrequency lesion was made at the centre of the spinal cord at a single segment at the thoracolumbar junction or at C1. This procedure was used for the management of cancer pain in 20 patients, in four of whom it was combined with unilateral cordotomy. Of 14 patients with myelotomy alone at the thoracolumbar junction 10 (71.5%) had satisfactory relief of pain, with no complications or untoward side-effects.