Long-term explantation risk in patients with chronic pain treated with spinal cord or dorsal root ganglion stimulation
Authors' conclusion
Although SCS and DRG stimulation are well-established and safe treatments for chronic pain, the long-term explantation risk remains high.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with chronic pain implanted with an spinal cord stimulation (SCS) or dorsal root ganglion (DRG) stimulation system at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, January 2012–December 2022
- Participants
- 400 patients
- Exposure
- Explantation risk across manufacturers and SCS vs DRG stimulation
- Outcome
- Cumulative explantation risk for any reason
- Follow-up
- 3, 5 and 10 years
Methodological detailssingle-centre, Data obtained by reviewing medical records
- Single-centre
- Data obtained by reviewing medical records
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Cumulative explantation risk for any reason, all manufacturers
At 3 years
17%
At 5 years
23%
At 10 years
38%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Explantation risk due to diminished pain relief
- At 3 years
- 10%
- At 5 years
- 14%
- At 10 years
- 23%
5-year explantation risk by manufacturer (subgroup, Kaplan-Meier)
- No statistically significant difference between manufacturers
Predictors of explantation (multivariable Cox regression)
- No difference in explantation risk for any reason
- Higher risk of explantation due to diminished pain relief for Medtronic (preferably older SCS devices) and DRG stimulation
- No other predictive factor for explantation found
Original publication
Long-term explantation risk in patients with chronic pain treated with spinal cord or dorsal root ganglion stimulation. Reg Anesth Pain Med. Published 30 July 2024. doi:10.
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