Lack of electrical interference between spinal cord stimulators and other implanted electrical pulse devices.

Abstract

Spinal cord stimulators (SCSs) have been used for decades to treat chronic pain. SCSs are often used to treat patients with chronic back pain caused by failed back surgery syndrome, patients with complex regional pain syndrome, or individuals who are not candidates for surgery. SCSs are a relative contraindication in patients with another electrical pulse device. We present 3 patients who received SCS despite having another implant in place. There was no interaction between devices. The first case was a patient with failed back surgery syndrome who had an implantable cardiac defibrillator and an SCS implant. The second case was a nonsurgical candidate with a pacemaker who received an SCS to help with lower back pain due to an occupational injury. The third case was a patient with complex regional pain syndrome and a bladder stimulator with a previous SCS who received a revision to help manage the pain. In all these patients, pain scores significantly improved after the trial.

• Authors: Alaa Abd-Elsayed, Ravi Grandhi, Harsh Sachdeva
• Journal: Journal of clinical anesthesia (J Clin Anesth) Vol. 35 Pg. 475-478 (Dec 2016) ISSN: 1873-4529 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 27871577 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Topics

• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Chronic Pain (therapy)
• Electric Stimulation Therapy (instrumentation)
• Female
• Humans
• Low Back Pain (therapy)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Pacemaker, Artificial
• Prostheses and Implants
• Spinal Cord Stimulation (instrumentation)