Transcutaneous electrical neurostimulation in postlaminectomy pain.

Abstract

Transcutaneous electrical neurostimulation (TENS) has been shown to be very effective in providing acute postoperative and delivery pain relief. We specifically applied this modality ot Northwestern Memorial Hospital using constant postoperative neurostimulation to patients who had had cervical or lumbar laminectomies for a variety of reasons, but mainly for herniated intervertebral discs and osteoarthritic spurs. The results in both groups were compatible with earlier findings by Hymes and co-workers, who reported decreased narcotic intake, decreased pain behavior or subjective complaints, and increased physical recovery. Patients who responded to TENS showed an average 50% decrease in dosage of narcotic analgesics, expressed fewer complaints of pain, and appeared to show more rapid postoperative physical recovery than the patients who were not treated with TENS. Seventy-nine percent of the lumbar laminectomy group and 87.5% of the cervical laminectomy group showed 50% or greater relief of acute, severe postlaminectomy pain. Other advantages of using TENS included ease of application and lack of major complaints.