Name: treating low back pain in failed back surgery patients with multicolumn-lead spinal cord stimulation
Uploaded: 2018-06-26T12:30:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Treating Low Back Pain in Failed Back Surgery Patients with Multicolumn-lead Spinal Cord Stimulation at JoVE.com

The authors would like to thank Gabrielle Leyden for revising the final draft of this paper.

1. Patient Selection
<ol>
	<li>Make a diagnosis of FBSS20.</li>
	<li>Be sure that the FBSS patient meets all the inclusion criteria before being accepted for an SCS trial:
	<ol>
		<li>Chronic low back pain and/or radicular leg pain that were refractory to optimal medical therapy for a minimum of 6 months.</li>
		<li>Persistent pain despite 3 types of pharmacological treatments (paracetamol, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, opioids, antidepressant medications, anticonvulsan...

<ol>
	<li>Schofferman, J., Reynolds, J., Herzog, R., Covington, E., Dreyfuss, P., O'Neill, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Failed+back+surgery:+Etiology+and+diagnostic+evaluation.">Failed back surgery: Etiology and diagnostic evaluation.</a> Spine Journal. 3 (5), 400-403 (2003).</li><li>Hazard, R. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Failed+back+surgery+syndrome:+surgical+and+nonsurgical+approaches.">Failed back surgery syndrome: surgical and nonsurgical approaches.</a> Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research. 443 (443), 228-232 (2006).</li><li>Rigoard, P., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=An+Algorithmic+Programming+Approach+for+Back+Pain+Symptoms+in+Failed+Back+Surgery+Syndrome+Using+Spinal+Cord+Stimulation+with+a+Multicolumn+Surgically+Implanted+Epidural+Lead:+A+Multicenter+International+Prospective+Study.">An Algorithmic Programming Approach for Back Pain Symptoms in Failed Back Surgery Syndrome Using Spinal Cord Stimulation with a Multicolumn Surgically Implanted Epidural Lead: A Multicenter International Prospective Study.</a> Pain Practice. 15 (3), 195-207 (2015).</li><li>Thomson, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Failed+back+surgery+syndrome+-+definition,+epidemiology+and+demographics.">Failed back surgery syndrome - definition, epidemiology and demographics.</a> British Journal of Pain. 7 (1), 56-59 (2013).</li><li>Balagu&#233;, F., Mannion, A. F., Pellis&#233;, F., Cedraschi, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Non-specific+low+back+pain.">Non-specific low back pain.</a> Lancet. 379 (9814), 482-491 (2012).</li><li>Melzack, R., Wall, P. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Pain+Mechanisms:+A+New+Theory.">Pain Mechanisms: A New Theory.</a> Science. 150 (3699), 971-979 (1965).</li><li>Gonz&#225;lez, J. C. A., Melzack, R., Wall, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+gate+theory:+Beyond+the+scientific+concept+two+worlds+scientists+dedicated+to+the+understanding+of+pain.">The gate theory: Beyond the scientific concept two worlds scientists dedicated to the understanding of pain.</a> Revista de la Sociedad Espanola del Dolor. 20 (4), 191-202 (2013).</li><li>Loeser, D., John, M. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Concepts+of+pain.">Concepts of pain.</a> The Lancet. 353 (May 8), 1607-1609 (1992).</li><li>Cui, J. G., Linderoth, B., Meyerson, B. 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A., Linderoth, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Spinal+5-HT+receptors+that+contribute+to+the+pain-relieving+effects+of+spinal+cord+stimulation+in+a+rat+model+of+neuropathy.">Spinal 5-HT receptors that contribute to the pain-relieving effects of spinal cord stimulation in a rat model of neuropathy.</a> Pain. 152 (7), 1666-1673 (2011).</li><li>Waszak, P. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Spinal+Cord+Stimulation+in+Failed+Back+Surgery+Syndrome:+Review+of+Clinical+Use,+Quality+of+Life+and+Cost-effectiveness.">Spinal Cord Stimulation in Failed Back Surgery Syndrome: Review of Clinical Use, Quality of Life and Cost-effectiveness.</a> Asian Spine Journal. 10 (6), 1195-1204 (2016).</li><li>Kishima, H., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Modulation+of+neuronal+activity+after+spinal+cord+stimulation+for+neuropathic+pain;+H(2)15O+PET+study.">Modulation of neuronal activity after spinal cord stimulation for neuropathic pain; H(2)15O PET study.</a> Neuroimage. 49 (2), 2564-2569 (2010).</li><li>Stanc&#225;k, A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Functional+magnetic+resonance+imaging+of+cerebral+activation+during+spinal+cord+stimulation+in+failed+back+surgery+syndrome+patients.">Functional magnetic resonance imaging of cerebral activation during spinal cord stimulation in failed back surgery syndrome patients.</a> European Journal of Pain (London, England). 12 (2), 137-148 (2008).</li><li>Yang, F., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Bipolar+spinal+cord+stimulation+attenuates+mechanical+hypersensitivity+at+an+intensity+that+activates+a+small+portion+of+A-fiber+afferents+in+spinal+nerve-injured+rats.">Bipolar spinal cord stimulation attenuates mechanical hypersensitivity at an intensity that activates a small portion of A-fiber afferents in spinal nerve-injured rats.</a> Neuroscience. 199, 470-480 (2011).</li><li>North, R. B., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Spinal+cord+stimulation+versus+re-operation+in+patients+with+failed+back+surgery+syndrome:+an+international+multicenter+randomized+controlled+trial+(EVIDENCE+study).">Spinal cord stimulation versus re-operation in patients with failed back surgery syndrome: an international multicenter randomized controlled trial (EVIDENCE study).</a> Neuromodulation: Journal of the International Neuromodulation Society. 14, 330-335 (2011).</li><li>Kapural, L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Comparison+of+10-kHz+High-Frequency+and+Traditional+Low-Frequency+Spinal+Cord+Stimulation+for+the+Treatment+of+Chronic+Back+and+Leg+Pain:+24-Month+Results+From+a+Multicenter,+Randomized,+Controlled+Pivotal+Trial.">Comparison of 10-kHz High-Frequency and Traditional Low-Frequency Spinal Cord Stimulation for the Treatment of Chronic Back and Leg Pain: 24-Month Results From a Multicenter, Randomized, Controlled Pivotal Trial.</a> Neurosurgery. 79 (5), 667-677 (2016).</li><li>Remacle, T. Y., Bonhomme, V. L., Renwart, H. J. P., Remacle, J. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Effect+of+Multicolumn+Lead+Spinal+Cord+Stimulation+on+Low+Back+Pain+in+Failed+Back+Surgery+Patients:+A+Three-Year+Follow-Up.">Effect of Multicolumn Lead Spinal Cord Stimulation on Low Back Pain in Failed Back Surgery Patients: A Three-Year Follow-Up.</a> Neuromodulation: Technology at the Neural Interface. 20 (7), 668-674 (2017).</li><li>Veizi, E., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Spinal+Cord+Stimulation+(SCS)+with+Anatomically+Guided+(3D)+Neural+Targeting+Shows+Superior+Chronic+Axial+Low+Back+Pain+Relief+Compared+to+Traditional+SCS-LUMINA+Study.">Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) with Anatomically Guided (3D) Neural Targeting Shows Superior Chronic Axial Low Back Pain Relief Compared to Traditional SCS-LUMINA Study.</a> Pain Medicine (Malden, Mass). 18 (8), 1534-1548 (2017).</li><li>Chan, C., Peng, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Failed+back+surgery+syndrome.">Failed back surgery syndrome.</a> Pain Medicine. 12 (4), 577-606 (2011).</li><li>Hawker, G., Mian, S., Kendzerska, T., French, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Measures+of+adult+pain.">Measures of adult pain.</a> Arthritis Care and Research. 63 (11), 240-252 (2011).</li><li>Deer, T. R., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+Neurostimulation+Appropriateness+Consensus+Committee+(NACC)+Safety+Guidelines+for+the+Reduction+of+Severe+Neurological+Injury.">The Neurostimulation Appropriateness Consensus Committee (NACC) Safety Guidelines for the Reduction of Severe Neurological Injury.</a> Neuromodulation. 20 (1), 15-30 (2017).</li><li>Gupta, P., Kumar, A., Kumar, A., Goel, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Congenital+Spinal+Cord+Anomalies:+A+Pictorial+Review.">Congenital Spinal Cord Anomalies: A Pictorial Review.</a> Current Problems in Diagnostic Radiology. 42 (2), 57-66 (2013).</li><li>. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Medtronic N'VISION&#174; Programmer Quick Guide. , (2009).</li><li>. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Medtronic MyStim&#174; Programmer Quick Guide. , (2014).</li><li>Frey, M. 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Recent studies have demonstrated that SCS can reliably improve the different pain components of FBSS patients, improve their quality of life (e.g., quality of sleep and physical activity), and these benefits are sustained during a long-term follow-up3,17,18,19.
Depending on the localization of the pain, we use a different approach. When the patient has only ...

Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) refers to persistent, chronic pain following spinal surgery. Before FBSS can be established, other conditions, such as persistent nerve root compression, permanent nerve root injury as a consequence of the original compression or surgery, arachnoiditis, incorrect initial diagnoses, and documented mechanical causes for low back pain (such as spinal instability, posterior joint osteoarthritis, spondylolysthesis, and discogenic pain), should be excluded1,2,3. FBSS patients may have severe or disabling neuropathic pain, and the syndrome is worrisome since it is chronic and resistant to conventional treatment. Its incidence and prevalence are similar to those of rheumatoid arthritis4. It is thus a great burden for industrialized societies5.
Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) with dorsal epidural leads can be used to treat back pain (BP) and leg pain (LP) in FBSS patients, although the SCS pain relief mechanism has not been fully investigated. According to the gate control theory, which was first proposed by Ronald Melzack and Patrick Wall in 1965, the brain monitors the activity of a tiny neural network distributed along the dorsal horn of the spinal cord that is regulated by nociceptive but also non-nociceptive afferents6. These complex circuits in the superficial dorsal horn of the spinal cord are responsible for relieving pain in a specific location in the body when an intense tactile stimulus is applied to the same place7,8. However, several studies have shown that SCS is not only dependent on this theory. Several neurotransmitters (acetylcholine, gamma-aminobutyric acid, and serotonin) have been reported to have a role in the SCS mechanism9,10,11,12, as well as numerous brain areas13,14 and different spinal fibers15.
An SCS device includes an epidural lead, internal pulse generator (IPG), and an extension cable to connect the lead to the IPG. The stimulation settings are adjusted by an external remote control. Two types of electrode can be used, namely, percutaneous and surgical leads.
The efficacy of SCS in improving the radicular LP component of FBSS has already been demonstrated in previously published studies, including the EVIDENCE study16, and two new technologies have recently been shown to be effective for treating the BP component, which is known to be recalcitrant to SCS. The first one is high-frequency stimulation17. The second one is the use of surgical multicolumn lead3,18. The main disadvantages of the former technique are that their batteries need more frequent charging and that the programming optimization is challenged by longer &#34;wash-in&#34; times19. The latter technique is more invasive than the percutaneous high-frequency stimulation technique because it requires a small laminectomy, making peroperative paresthesia mapping under local anesthesia challenging, although possible3. Indeed, this procedure can be performed under local anesthesia supplemented by conscious sedation or spinal anesthesia3. In our institution, when targeting back pain in FBSS patients, we place such surgical leads through a small laminectomy at the 10th thoracic level with the patient under general anesthesia. The lasting efficacy of this method with such multicolumn leads for treating LP and BP in FBSS patients has been demonstrated by 3 year follow-up18. A detailed protocol of our method is given below.

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			<td>NaCl 0.9% 1 L</td>
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			<td>09461.16</td>
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			<td>Ziehm Vision R FD</td>
			<td>Ziehm Imaging Inc.</td>
			<td>CB05183</td>
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			<td>Marcain 0.5% + adrenaline 1/200.000 20 mL</td>
			<td>Astrazenca</td>
			<td>PA 970/46/2</td>
			<td>0.5% Bupivacaine/1:200,000 adrenaline solution&#160;</td>
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			<td>external Neurostimulator (eNs)&#160;</td>
			<td>&#160;Medtronic Inc., MN, USA</td>
			<td>37022</td>
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			<td>Trousse de colonne lombaire CHR Citadelle (Procedure pack)&#160;</td>
			<td>M&#246;lnlycke</td>
			<td>97061425-01</td>
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			<td>Maquet</td>
			<td>1150.30D0</td>
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			<td>OR Lights</td>
			<td>Trumpf</td>
			<td>1929278</td>
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			<td>Specify SureScan MRI</td>
			<td>&#160;Medtronic Inc., MN, USA</td>
			<td>977C165</td>
			<td>Multicolumn lead</td>
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			<td>Primeadvanced surescan mri neurostimulator&#160;</td>
			<td>&#160;Medtronic Inc., MN, USA</td>
			<td>97702</td>
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			<td>Polysorb 2/0</td>
			<td>Covidien</td>
			<td>GL123</td>
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			<td>Polysorb 1</td>
			<td>Covidien</td>
			<td>CL535</td>
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			<td>Polysorb 2</td>
			<td>Covidien</td>
			<td>CL055</td>
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			<td>Cutiplast Steril 20x10 cm</td>
			<td>Smith&#38;Nephew</td>
			<td>66001475</td>
			<td>Bandage</td>
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			<td>MyStim Programmer</td>
			<td>&#160;Medtronic Inc., MN, USA</td>
			<td>97740</td>
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			<td>FixoCath</td>
			<td>Pajunk</td>
			<td>001151-37Z</td>
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			<td>N&#39;Vision Programmer&#160;</td>
			<td>&#160;Medtronic Inc., MN, USA</td>
			<td>8840</td>
			<td></td>
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			<td>3M Tegaderm Film 10x12cm</td>
			<td>3M Deutschland GmbH</td>
			<td>1626W</td>
			<td></td>
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			<td>Extension Kit</td>
			<td>Medtronic Inc., MN, USA</td>
			<td>37081-40</td>
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			<td>Paracetamol</td>
			<td>Fresenius Kabi</td>
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			<td>Tradonal&#160;</td>
			<td>Meda Pharma</td>
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			<td>Janssen- Cilag</td>
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			<td>Propolipid 1%</td>
			<td>Fresenius Kabi</td>
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			<td>Ketalar (Ketamine Hydrochloride)</td>
			<td>Pfizer</td>
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			<td>Rocuronium Bromide</td>
			<td>Bbraun</td>
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			<td>Cefazolin</td>
			<td>Milan</td>
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treating low back pain in failed back surgery patients with multicolumn-lead spinal cord stimulation

Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) refers to persistent, chronic pain following spinal surgery. Spinal cord stimulation with dorsal epidural leads can be used to treat back and leg pain in FBSS patients. This paper presents a detailed protocol for using spinal cord stimulation with surgical leads in FBSS patients. In our department, with the patient under general anesthesia, we place the lead in the epidural space by means of a small laminectomy at the 10th thoracic level. Placement of the lead is followed by a 1 month trial period with an externalized lead. If pain relief is greater than 50% at the end of this 1 month stimulation trial (required by Belgian reimbursement criteria), an internal pulse generator is then placed under the skin and connected to the lead in a second surgical procedure. We have demonstrated that using this technique in rigorously selected FBSS patients can significantly improve back pain, leg pain, patient activity, and quality of life for a sustained period of time.

A prospective, non-randomized, controlled study of 62 consecutive FBSS patients who were implanted with a multicolumn lead using this method in our center, CHR Citadelle, in Li&#232;ge, Belgium, was recently published in Neuromodulation18 . All patients had had previous spinal surgery, had been screened for possible secondary causes of their pain, and were refractory to optimal medical therapy. Multicolumn surgical leads were placed in all 62 patients in the projec...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Treating Low Back Pain in Failed Back Surgery Patients with Multicolumn-lead Spinal Cord Stimulation at JoVE.com

Treating Low Back Pain in Failed Back Surgery Patients with Multicolumn-lead Spinal Cord Stimulation

This paper presents a method that uses spinal cord stimulation with a multicolumn lead to treat neuropathic low back pain in failed back surgery patients.

Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) refers to persistent, chronic pain following spinal surgery. Spinal cord stimulation with dorsal epidural leads can be ...

This method can help answer key question in the neurostimulation field, about spinal cord stimulation efficiency for treating low back pain in failed back surgery patients. The main advantage of this technique is that it allows the device position to be standardization for optimal paresthesia coverage for full to back and leg pain areas. With the patient in the prone position use fluoroscopic assistance to identify the incision site between the T10 and T11 spinous processes.Infiltrate the incision site with five milliliters of a 20 milliliter solution of 0.5%bupivacaine, and 1-to-200, 000 adrenaline. Next, use a surgical blade to make an incision through the skin and dorsal musculature until the thoracic aponeuroses are revealed. Place a retractor into the incision, and dissect the paravertebral musculature on both sides of the T10 superspinous process, and resect the superspinous and interspinous ligaments.Dissect the T10 lamina five millimeters on each side of the process, and five millimeters in the cranial caudal direction, and perform a partial T10 laminectomy. When enough space has been created for the lead, use fluoroscopic guidance to insert the phantom lead into the epidural space, while keeping the insertion of the flavum ligament on the upper part of the T11 lamina intact. Place the lead as medially as possible, until it is midline to the projection of the T8 to T9 bodies, and fix the lead to the interspinous T11 ligament with a single interrupted stitch.If the lead is positioned within the midline of the epidural space in the T8 to T9 projection, remove the retractor, and confirm a lack of bleeding. Using simple interrupted stitches of braided synthetic absorbable suture material, close the musculoaponeurotic layer, and connect the two intrinsic external extensions to the two extrinsic external extensions. Tunnel the extensions into the subcutaneous fat, so that the extensions exit the skin 15 centimeters lateral to the incision site.Use simple interrupted stitches of braided synthetic absorbable suture material to wrap the intrinsic and extrinsic extensions, and to close the subcutaneous layer. If the lead is still positioned within the midline of the epidural space in the T8 to T9 projection, then use finer absorbable 3-0 suture material to make a dermic subcuticular suture, and apply antiseptic and bandages. A few hours after the surgery, connect the external neurostimulator to the extrinsic external lead extensions, and place the clinician programmer onto the external neurostimulator.Turn on the clinician programmer and the neurostimulation with a pulse width set to 260 milliseconds, at a rate of 60 Hertz. Next, use the guarded cathode configuration to first test a transverse tripolar configuration at the top of the lead. If this configuration provides sufficient paresthesia coverage and/or pain suppression, increase the pulse width to 450 milliseconds to fine-tune the back pain area coverage, and to allow enlargement of the stimulation area, adjusting the pulse rate between 40 and 60 Hertz to obtain the most satisfying paresthesia coverage of the painful area.Then, use sharp scissors to cut the external extension flush with the skin, to reduce the risk of infection until the next surgical procedure. In this representative, prospective, non-randomized, controlled study of 62 consecutive failed back surgery syndrome patients who were implanted with a multicolumn lead, leg pain, back pain, and daily activity limitations were significantly improved during the entire follow-up period. Once mastered, this technique can be completed in 30 minutes, if it's performed properly.While attempting this procedure, it's important to use sterile technique, as infection is the biggest complication of this procedure.

Research

JoVE Journal

Behavior

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