Long-Term Multicolumn-Lead Spinal Cord Stimulation Efficacy in Patients with Failed Back Surgery Syndrome: A Six-Year Prospective Follow-up Study.

OBJECTIVE: The use of multicolumn-lead spinal cord stimulation (SCS) to control back pain (BP) and leg pain (LP) in patients with failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) in the short term and mid-term has been well documented. Our study investigated whether SCS remained efficient after 72 months. METHODS: In an observational, single-center study, we assessed SCS efficacy in 62 patients with FBSS patients. BP, LP, and magnitude of daily activity limitation (DAL) were graded using a 0-10 visual analog scale (VAS) preoperatively and at 2, 6, 12, 24, 36, and 72 months after SCS implantation. Sleep quality, use of medications, and complications were also recorded. RESULTS: Of the 62 patients, 15 with complete follow-up data available were still using their SCS device at 72 months (SCS+). For these patients, the VAS scores for BP, LP, and DAL had changed from a median of 9 (interquartile range [IQR], 8.5-10), 7 (IQR, 6-8), and 8 (IQR, 8-9) preoperatively to a median of 4 (IQR, 3-4.5), 3 (IQR, 1.5-3.5), and 3 (IQR, 2-4) at 72 months. Their quality of sleep and analgesic medication consumption had also improved. In a subset of patients no longer using the SCS device after 72 months (SCS-), the VAS scores for BP, LP, and DAL, quality of sleep, and medication consumption were comparable to those for the SCS+ group. The SCS- group was less satisfied with the technique and were less professionally active than were the SCS+ group. CONCLUSIONS: The SCS device provides sustained beneficial effects on BP, LP, DAL, sleep, and medication consumption in patients with FBSS still using it at 72 months postoperatively. Further studies are needed to identify the factors of adherence to the technique and the chances of success compared with the natural evolution of FBSS.

Effect of Multicolumn Lead Spinal Cord Stimulation on Low Back Pain in Failed Back Surgery Patients: A Three-Year Follow-Up.

OBJECTIVES: Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) remains poorly efficient at reducing back pain in failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) patients. We aimed at determining whether a new multicolumn lead SCS technique was efficient at durably reducing their leg (LP) and back (BP) pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-two consecutive refractory FBSS patients received multicolumn SCS. Visual analogue scale (VAS) self-evaluation of BP, LP, and limitation of daily activity (LAD) were recorded preoperatively and at 2, 6, 12, 24, and 36 months after surgery. Quality of sleep and use of concomitant medications were also recorded. RESULTS: Complete datasets were obtained in 29 patients. BP (median VAS [25-75 centiles]) significantly decreased from 9 (8.5-10) preoperatively, to 3 (3-4) at short-term follow-up (2 months), and rose up to 5 (4-5) at 36 months. LP evolved from 7 (6-8) preoperatively, to 2.5 (2-3) at short-term follow-up, and 3 (2-3) at 36 months. Correspondingly, LAD VAS was 8 (8-9) preoperatively, and decreased to stable values of 3 (3-4) during the follow-up period. Quality of sleep also improved, with 72% of patients reporting poor sleep preoperatively to 0-7% in the follow-up period until 36 months. The percentages of patients regularly taking analgesic and/or co-analgesic medications decreased from 100% preoperatively to 8, 4, 12, 19, and 19%. CONCLUSION: Multicolumn lead SCS in FBSS patients significantly improve BP, LP, quality of life, and medication consumption for at least 36 months. A classical placebo effect cannot account for long-term improvements of such magnitude.