• Peter A Pahapill.
• Neuromodulation. 2015 Aug 1; 18 (6): 472-6; discussion 476-7.

ObjectivesSpinal cord stimulation (SCS) revision surgery remains common, with a negative impact on cost-effectiveness and outcomes. The primary goal of this report was to retrospectively study the need for revision surgery in a cohort of complex regional pain syndrome type I (CRPS-1) patients with newly implanted cervical surgical paddle leads, focusing on a method of implantation to reduce the need for revision surgery.MethodsFifteen patients underwent implantation of paddle SCS leads in the cervical spine with cervical laminotomies under conscious sedation for CRPS-1 from 2008 to 2012. Electrodes were not anchored and 11 of the electrodes were three-column paddle leads. A disinterested third party performed initial chart reviews, supplemented by subsequent telephone interviews. The need for revision surgery was the endpoint. A single surgeon performed all implants with a consistent method.ResultsThere were no paddle electrode lead revisions required for suboptimal lead placement, fracture, migration, or infection at a median follow-up period of 22 months.ConclusionsThis study is the first to report on: 1) cervical electrode implantation with no anchoring; and 2) cervical paddle lead implantation (including three-column paddles) performed under conscious sedation. The specific method of nonanchoring of the paddle implants under conscious sedation may have contributed to low electrode lead revision rates.© 2015 International Neuromodulation Society.

27 keywords...

hide…