Spaic et al. 2002
Yugoslavia (Serbia)
D&B=8
Case series
N=26

Population: Type of pain=neuropathic
Treatment: Over 3-year period, 26 individuals with SCI underwent DREZ-lesioning procedure.
Outcome Measures: VAS

1. DREZ surgical treatment was found to be effective at reducing pain in the majority of patients, more so for those with mechanical and combined vs. thermal pain.
2. Long-term pain relief was achieved in 90% of those with mechanical pain and 25% of those with combined pain.

Nashold et al. 1990
USA
D&B=6
Case series
N=18

Population: Type of pain=mixed
Treatment: Patients who had a SCI and DREZ procedures and drainage to remove cysts that had developed months to 1 year post injury. 
Outcome Measures: Pain relief, as indicated by subsequent treatment and activity levels.

1. 14/18 patients reported good pain relief with combined cyst drainage. Good pain relief was defined as not requiring any analgesics and activities not limited because of pain.

Sintou et al. 2001
France/Egypt
D&B=5
Case series
N=44

Population: Type of pain=mixed
Treatment: Patients underwent DREZ procedure to reduce pain.
Outcome Measures: VAS

1. By 10 days, 70% of patients had experienced good pain relief, 18.5% fair pain relief, and 11.5% poor pain relief.
2. 3 months later, 66% reported continued good pain relief.
3. Better pain relief was seen in those with segmental vs. below-lesion pain and in those with conus medullaris vs. higher injuries.

Sampson et al. 1995
USA
D&B=5
Case series
N=39

Population: Type of pain=mixed
Treatment: Patients received DREZ procedures from 1978 to 1992.
Outcome Measures: Pain relief, as indicated by subsequent treatment and activity levels.

1. 21 of the 39 reported good results, while the remaining 18 reported fair results at a mean of 3 yrs.
2. 30/39 had no post-operative complications.

Rath et al. 1997
Germany
D&B=5
Case series
N=23

Population: Type of pain=neuropathic
Treatment: Patients underwent DREZ procedure.
Outcome Measures: Patients were asked to judge postoperative pain relative to preoperative pain (%).

1. Of the 23 patients who underwent the procedure, 11 were judged to have experienced good pain relief; the remaining 12 were said to have had a fair or poor result.
2. Better results were seen for those with ‘end-zone’ vs. diffuse pain.

Friedman & Nashold 1986
USA
D&B=4
Case series
N=56

Population: Type of pain=not stated
Treatment: Patients underwent DREZ procedure.
Outcome Measures: Pain relief, as indicated by subsequent productivity levels.

1. 50% of patients reported good pain relief, 9% fair, 4% poor following DREZ procedure.
2. Better results were obtained for those with segmental vs. diffuse pain.

Spaic et al. 1999
Yugoslavia (Serbia)
D&B=4
Case series
N=6

Population: Type of pain=neuropathic
Treatment: : During 3-month period, 6 SCI patients underwent microsurgical DREZotomy procedure.
Outcome Measures: Self-reported pain relief.

1. 4/6 patients reported complete pain relief; 2/6 reported 80% pain relief.
2. 2 patients who had been using pain medication reported no longer needing them.