Is spinal cord stimulation safe? A review of 13 years of implantations and complications.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this review was to evaluate the complications of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) for chronic pain.

METHODS: This was a retrospective case series of 212 patients treated with SCS for chronic lower-limb neuropathic pain between March 2002 and February 2015 in a Reims academic hospital. All patients received a surgically implanted paddle-type electrode. Complications with this technique are here described and analyzed, and other treatment and preventative methods proposed.

RESULTS: The major indication was 'failed back surgery syndrome', and 74 (35%) patients experienced complications, of which 57% were benign, while 42% required invasive treatment. Most frequent complications (n=22, 10%) were hardware malfunctions. There were two cases (0.9%) of postoperative neurological deficit and nine (4.2%) with postoperative infections. All patients received the appropriate treatment for their complication.

CONCLUSION: Despite the presence of complications, SCS is still a safe technique, although careful patient selection and proper surgical technique can help to avoid major complications.