Spinal cord stimulation for chronic pain: a retrospective cohort study of patients from a Canadian tertiary centre
Authors' conclusion
In this cohort of patients who underwent SCS implantation at a Canadian tertiary centre, infection and lead migration rates were consistent with global estimates (3.8% and up to 27%, respectively); nevertheless, we observed high rates of dural puncture compared with an expected incidence of 0.48%.
Study context
- Population
- Patients who underwent spinal cord stimulation (SCS) implantation at a Canadian tertiary centre (St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto), 1 January 2020–31 July 2023
- Participants
- 100 patients
- Outcome
- Indications, characteristics and complications of SCS
Methodological detailssingle-centre
- Single-centre
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- Age, mean (SD), yr
- 62 (14)
- Indication: chronic pain after spinal surgery, n
- 44
- Indication: chronic back pain (no prior spine surgery), n
- 22
- Indication: complex regional pain syndrome, n
- 6
- Indication: spinal stenosis, n
- 4
- Indication: visceral pain, n
- 4
- On pharmacotherapy for pain relief at baseline, n
- 96
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Safety
Complications
- Implantable pulse generator-associated pain
- 47%
- Lead migration
- 14%
- Lead fracture
- 9%
- Surgical site infection
- 2%
- Cerebrospinal fluid leak
- 6%
Original publication
Spinal cord stimulation for chronic pain: a retrospective cohort study of patients from a Canadian tertiary centre. Can J Anaesth. Published 8 July 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →