Cordotomy in Oncology

Preparing for the treatment

You fast on the day of surgery, but you will take all your medication, as you normally would. This does not apply to blood thinners. This medication should not be taken, starting a few days before the surgery.

The treatment

You’ll arrive at the hospital about an hour before the scheduled treatment time. You will be escorted to your private room, where you can change into a gown.

Then you will be brought to the treatment room, where you will then be put on your back on the operating table. Additionally, your head may be fixed to the table with a strap, because you can not make any sudden movements during surgery.

Beforehand an IV will be placed, which will provide first provide antibiotics, and later medication, during the procedure, making you calmer, and possibly doze a bit during the operation. You will also be connected to a monitor so that we can monitor your vitals during the surgery.

After disinfection you’ll get an anesthesia injection at the height of the neck near the ear. Thereafter, the needle will be positioned, with the help of fluoroscopy, until the proper nerve has been reached. This is checked with the injection of contrast fluid. This may be sensitive. Then, with the help of test currents, the position of the needle is checked. It is important that you indicate where you feel the currents. If the needle is in the right place, the heat treatment begins.

As a result, the nerve path is interrupted and, in most cases, the pain immediately disappears.

This treatment is considered an inpatient procedure and can not be performed at OCP Medical Center at The Fairmont Dubai. However, you will be treated as if you are a patient of OCP Medical Center; you will be treated by one of our own doctors, we will schedule your appointments and keep your medical file.

Please note that this information gives an impression of a treatment so you can prepare in advance.

When the treatment is finished, you are brought to the recovery room, where you’ll stay for a little while. A few checks are performed here, after which you can safely return to your private room.

A few points are important: Your doctor will, after a successful cordotomy, immediately adjust jour medication. Sometimes a temporarily drop in blood pressure occurs. You remain in bed during the first few hours after the procedure, preferably on your back, because of possible leakage of fluids from the spinal cord. This can cause headaches after the treatment. This usually disappears on its own, within a few days. lying flat, drinking a lot and a simple painkiller reduce the discomfort. When you get out of bed, you need to be prepared for some temporary loss of strength in your legs. This is because of the heat treatment, which causes some temporary swelling around the nerve bundle in the spinal cord. You should also take into account that urinating is sometimes a bit difficult. This is also due to the swelling caused by the heat treatment. Optionally, you can temporarily get a catheter to help with this.

On the side where the pain is located, after the treatment will not only the pain, but also the sense of temperature has disappeared. this means that you should be careful with picking up hot and cold objects, and that you wear tough shoes, because you don’t always feel the pain when you step in something.

After 6 months there is a small chance of the occurrence of a burning pain or discomfort in the initial pain area. Finally, it is wise to keep an eye on your temperature. With a temperature rising above 38 degrees Celsius, you should contact your doctor.