Open thoracic cordotomy for intractable cancer pain: a how I do it.

[BACKGROUND] Some cancers of the lower extremity involve nerves and plexuses and can produce extreme drug-resistant noceptive pain. In these cases, open thoracic cordotomy can be proposed.

[METHOD] This procedure involves disruption of the spinothalamic tract, which sustains nociceptive pathways. After placement in the prone position, selection of the side to be operated on (contralateral to the pain), and dura exposure, microsurgery is used to section the anterolateral spinal cord quadrant previously exposed by gently pulling on the dentate ligament.

[CONCLUSION] Open thoracic cordotomy is a moderate invasive, safe, and effective option for the management of drug-resistant unilateral lower extremity cancer pain in well-selected patients.