Key result
Percutaneous trial SCS placement linked to electrode fracture and epidural dislodgment requiring surgical removal.
Why the study?
Complication rates of spinal cord stimulation remain high despite improvements, with lead fracture during percutaneous trial lead placement being a rare but serious event.
Case Report (n=1)
No
Highlights a rare but potentially catastrophic complication of lead fracture during percutaneous spinal cord stimulator placement to improve hardware safety and patient care.
Electrode fracture during percutaneous SCS trial may require surgical removal; case report leaves open incidence and prevention strategies.
Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has been used since 1967 for neuromodulation of chronic refractory pain, particularly failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) Type 1 [1, 2]. Despite improvements in materials, patient selection optimization, and surgical techniques, complication rates remain high. The most common complications include lead migration, fracture and disconnection from implanted generator [3-9]. This case report demonstrates a potentially catastrophic complication of lead fracture and dislodgment during percutaneous placement. To the best of our knowledge, this is only the second case described in the literature. A review of SCS complications and protocol is also presented. Awareness of this rare adverse outcome can influence SCS manufacturers and practitioners to work towards eliminating overall hardware failure risk and improving patient quality of care.
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A 2022 study conducted a case report in Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) (n=1). Percutaneous trial spinal cord stimulator placement was evaluated on Electrode fracture during placement. During percutaneous trial spinal cord stimulator placement, the distal tip of the electrode fractured and dislodged into the epidural space, requiring subsequent surgical removal.
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