A new spinal cord stimulation system effectively relieves chronic, intractable pain: a multicenter prospective clinical study.

Objectives.  A prospective, open label, multicenter clinical trial confirmed the functionality of a new spinal cord stimulation (SCS) system for the treatment of chronic, intractable pain of the trunk and/or limbs. Materials and Methods.  Sixty-five subjects tested a rechargeable 16-channel SCS system with individual current control of each contact on one or two percutaneous eight-contact epidural leads. After baseline measurements, subjects were tracked on pain ratings and complication rates for up to 18 months. Results.  After a trial period, 75% of subjects underwent permanent implantation of the entire SCS system. More than one-half the implanted subjects experienced 50% or greater relief of pain after permanent implantation; some subjects reported relief of 90% or more of their pain. The most common complications after permanent implantation were lead migration, uncomfortable stimulation, and component failure; most resolved after reprogramming or device replacement. Conclusions.  The new SCS system provided good pain relief to a majority of subjects, and the results confirm a favorable safety and efficacy profile for the SCS system.