OBJECTIVES: Spinal cord stimulator (SCS) infections are common (2.5-13%) and may cause harm. It is unclear if a screening trial with definitive leads presents an increased infection risk. METHODS: Eighty-four patients with SCS implantations were reviewed from 2004 to May 2008 with a trial period lasting 1-3 weeks. RESULTS: During the trial one infection (1.2%) occurred with removal of the SCS leads. Three infections (3.6%) occurred after the second stage and were successfully treated with antibiotics. No full implant was explanted due to infection. The more skilled/experienced operator had a lower infection rate (1.8%) than the less skilled/experienced (13%). CONCLUSIONS: Our infection rate (4.8%) compared favorably with our previous survey (7.5%). The reduced number of SCS infections is likely to be due to: strict asepsis, double layer hydrocolloid dressing during the trial, prophylactic antibiotics, operator experience, and patient education. Two-stage procedures with extended trials do not seem to increase the incidence of SCS infections
Keywords : Adult,adverse effects,Anesthetics,Anti-Bacterial Agents,Antibiotic Prophylaxis,Chronic Pain,drug therapy,education,Electric Stimulation Therapy,Electrodes,Implanted,Equipment Contamination,Female,Follow-Up Studies,Humans,Incidence,Infection,Male,methods,microbiology,Middle Aged,Patients,physiology,physiopathology,prevention & control,Prosthesis-Related Infections,Retrospective Studies,Risk,Spinal Cord,Surgical Wound Infection,therapeutic use,therapy,, Rate,Spinal,Cord,Stimulators, hip injections for arthritis
Date of Publication : 2011 Mar
Authors : Rudiger J;Thomson S;
Organisation : Anesthetics & Paediatric ICU, St. George’s Hospital, Tooting, UK
Journal of Publication : Neuromodulation
Pubmed Link : https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21992200
The London Spine Unit : Harley Street UK. Specialists in Cutting Edge Technologies for Spinal Surgery
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