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Successful removal of permanent spinal cord stimulators in patients with complex regional pain syndrome after complete relief of pain

Successful removal of permanent spinal cord stimulators in patients with complex regional pain syndrome after complete relief of pain

Authors :
Su Jung Lee
Yeong Min Yoo
Jun A You
Sang Wook Shin
Tae Kyun Kim
Salahadin Abdi
Kyung Hoon Kim
Source :
The Korean Journal of Pain
Publication Year :
2019
Publisher :
Korean Pain Society, 2019.

Abstract

Background It is uncommon for patients who have received a permanent implant to remove the spinal cord stimulator (SCS) after discontinuation of medication in complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) due to their completely painless state. This study evaluated CRPS patients who successfully removed their SCSs. Methods This 10-year retrospective study was performed on patients who had received the permanent implantation of an SCS and had removed it 6 months after discontinuation of stimulation, while halting all medications for neuropathic pain. Age, sex, duration of implantation, site and type of CRPS, and their return to work were compared between the removal and non-removal groups. Results Five (12.5%, M/F = 4/1) of 40 patients (M/F = 33/7) successfully removed the permanent implant. The mean age was younger in the removal group (27.2 ± 6.4 vs. 43.5 ± 10.7 years, P < 0.01). The mean duration of implantation in the removal group was 34.4 ± 18.2 months. Two of 15 patients (13.3%) and 3 of 25 patients (12%) who had upper and lower extremity pain, respectively, had removed the implant. The implants could be removed in 5 of 27 patients (18.5%) with CRPS type 1 (P < 0.01). All 5 patients (100%) who removed their SCS returned to work, while only 5 of 35 (14.3%) in the non-removal group did (P < 0.01). Conclusions Even though this study had limited data, younger patients with CRPS type 1 could remove their SCSs within a 5-year period and return to work with complete pain relief.

Details

ISSN :
20930569 and 20059159
Volume :
32
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
The Korean Journal of Pain
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....3d7ef8b99a3796d90f20e959137eeb18
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3344/kjp.2018.32.1.47