Forty-five patients with levator syndrome were treated by high voltage electrogalvanic stimulation of the levator ani by means
of an intra-anal probe. Voltage varied from 150 to 400 volts, depending on patient tolerance. Negative electrodes and 80 cycles
per second were used for 20 minutes every other day. An average of five treatments was needed for complete pain relief. Excellent
results (total pain relief) were obtained in 36 patients, good results in five, fair results in two, and poor results (no
relief) in two. High voltage electrogalvanic stimulation is the treatment of choice for levator syndrome because it can be
standardized, is well tolerated, and is over 90 percent effective.
Key words Levator spasm - Levator syndrome - Coccygodynia - Levator ani - Proctalgia fugax - Electrogalvanic stimulation
Read at the joint meeting of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons with the Section of Colo-Proctology, Royal
Society of Medicine, and the Section of Colonic and Rectal Surgery, Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, New orleans, Louisiana,
May 6 to 11, 1984.