Epidural spinal cord stimulation (SCS) was performed for pain control in twenty two patients, 14 males and 8 females with chronic intractable pain. These patients were followed for a period ranging from 3 months to 6.5 years postoperatively. At the time of their monthly visit, magnitudes of pain before and after stimulation were evaluated by using a visual analogue scale (VAS). As demonstrated by VAS, pain continued to decrease by more than 50 % in 12 of 22 SCS patients. In the 10 remainig patients the VAS indicated that pain decreased by 50% or less. In 6 of these 10 patients VAS decreased again by more than 50% after the positions of electrodes were re-adjusted, or replaced with new receiver or connective lead. However, in 4 of 10 patients SCS became ineffective. We demonstrated that SCS was reliable and safe for long-term use in the treatment of patients with chronic intractable pain without serious complications.