[The role of the anesthetist in the treatment of chronic pain conditions (author's transl)].

There are many causes of chronic pain. A clinic for the treatment of chronic pain conditions must therefore be based on the team work of various special disciplines. The anesthetist who is interested in this field may be a very useful member of such a therapeutic team. Chemical blockade of nerves, transcutaneous stimulation of nerves, chordotomy, all belong to his special field. The results of treatment also depend, however, on the personality of the patient and the nature of the disease.