Implantable Pulse Generator Site Pain Following Spinal Cord Stimulation: A Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND AND

OBJECTIVES

Implantable pulse generator site pain (IPGSP) is a complication of spinal cord stimulator implantation that can warrant revision or removal. Although considering bony anatomy, seating position, and clothing may help reduce the incidence of IPGSP, the optimal site remains unclear. In addition, there is a paucity of data on factors predisposing patients to IPGSP, primarily limited to uncontrolled retrospective case series. We sought to investigate factors associated with IPGSP after spinal cord stimulation.

METHODS

A current procedural terminology code-based search was performed to identify patients undergoing implantable pulse generator (IPG) placement, revision, replacement, or removal for spinal cord stimulation (codes 63685 and 63688) between January 2000 and February 2021. A retrospective chart review was performed to identify cases with IPGSP. Demographic, medical, and surgical data were collected and compared with age-matched and gender-matched controls.

RESULTS

Of the 615 patients who underwent IPG surgery, 29 cases underwent a revision, replacement, or removal for IPGSP. Patients with IPGSP were younger (mean age 47.2 years) and disproportionately female (76%) compared with controls (mean age 51.2 years, 52% female). When controlling for age and gender, no significant differences were found in body mass index, pain etiology, duration of pain or opioid use, psychiatric comorbidities, substance abuse, financial compensation, laminectomy vs percutaneous, IPG location, or laterality.

CONCLUSION

Younger age and female sex were significant risk factors for IPGSP. When controlling for age and gender, there was no association between IPGSP and low body mass index, or other demographic, socioeconomic, or medical factors. Our results highlight the interrelationship of factors that may confound retrospective studies of IPGSP. Larger, prospective studies are needed for further investigating the factors of IPGSP and identifying strategies to reduce its incidence.