Percutaneous chordotomy for managing cancer pain

Pain is a problem frequently encountered by patients with cancer. For more than 30 years, the percutaneous chordotomy procedure has been a nonpharmacological approach to the management of intractable cancer pain. Nursing care of patients before, during, and after the percutaneous chordotomy procedure is challenging. Patients and their family members need to be educated about the intent and outcomes of the procedure, as well as its complications. The purpose of this article is to review the theoretical aspect of pain perception and outline the anatomical background and basic steps of the percutaneous chordotomy procedure. Preoperative patient education and preparation, intraoperative nursing interventions, and postoperative patient care are discussed.