Intraspinal extradural sensory rhizotomy in patients with failure of lumbar disc surgery

Questionnaires were sent to 60 patients who had undergone an intraspinal extradural sensory rhizotomy after failure of back surgery to assess the efficacy of the procedure. Questionnaires were returned from 47 patients. The operative results were uniformly poor in improving the level of activity of the patient. However, nearly 60% of the patients obtained relief of their pain. Section of only one root, either L-5 or S-1, relieved pain in 50% of the cases. Section of both roots, L-5 and S-1, appeared more effective, since 66% of these patients were relieved of their pain. The technique of performing an intraspinal extradural sensory rhizotomy is discussed in detail.