Key result
Tying sutures directly around spinal cord stimulator leads to the suture's breaking point produced no evidence of substantial physical damage or electrical impairment.
Why the study?
Does tying sutures directly around spinal cord stimulator leads cause physical damage or electrical impairment?
Does tying sutures directly around spinal cord stimulator leads cause physical damage or electrical impairment?
Anchoring sutures directly to spinal cord stimulator leads appears to produce minimal physical or electrical damage, potentially offering a safe method to reduce lead migration.
No damage from direct suturing in this model; hypothesis-generating for lead stabilization, human trials required.
BACKGROUND: Lead migration of spinal cord stimulators (SCS) is a significant problem, and experience suggests that anchoring sutures directly around the SCS lead may reduce migration. Such practices have been limited by concerns about potential damage to the lead and impairment of performance. OBJECTIVE: This study sought to determine the extent of overt damage following maximal tension from tying sutures directly around SCS leads. DESIGN: Twenty-eight SCS leads were prospectively exposed to 56 suture knots that were tightened under controlled conditions to the suture's breaking point. OUTCOME MEASURES: Lead damage was evaluated by high power microscopy and assessment of lead impedance. RESULTS: None of the leads had evidence of substantial physical damage or electrical impairment. CONCLUSIONS: This small study suggests that anchoring directly to the lead appears to produce minimal damage, but these preliminary data must be confirmed and expanded.
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Kreis et al. (2009) studied Spinal cord stimulator lead migration (n=28). Direct suture loop ties around SCS leads was evaluated on Lead damage evaluated by high power microscopy and assessment of lead impedance. Tying sutures directly around spinal cord stimulator leads to the suture's breaking point produced no evidence of substantial physical damage or electrical impairment.
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