ArticleSpinal cord series and cases2023
Inactivation of spinal cord stimulator implanted pulse generators after elective surgery: an under-recognized problem.
Article in Spinal cord series and cases, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
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2 citing papers in PubMed, 1 citations in OpenAlex.
- Perioperative management of spinal cord stimulators in patients undergoing non-SCS spine surgery: A retrospective cohort study.Interventional pain medicine · 2026Article
- Perioperative considerations for spinal cord stimulation devices: A practical guide.Interventional pain medicine · 2025Article
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5 authors at 3 institutions in 1 country.
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Abstract
STUDY
designWe retrospectively analyzed a database of implanted pulse generators (IPGs) for spinal cord stimulation (SCS) implanted by a single surgeon (NDT). We additionally report a series of five illustrative patient cases.
objectivesThe electronics of SCS IPGs are susceptible to damage when implanted patients undergo surgery. Some SCSs have a dedicated surgery mode, while others recommend turning the SCS off to protect it from damage. IPG inactivation may require resetting or replacement surgery. We aimed to explore the prevalence of this real-world problem which has not been studied.
settingPittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
methodsUsing a single surgeon SCS database, we identified cases of IPG inactivation after a non-SCS surgery and analyzed the management. We then reviewed the charts of five illustrative cases.
resultsAmong 490 SCS IPG implantations between 2016-2022, 15 (3%) of the 490 patients' IPGs became inactivated after another non-SCS surgery. 12 (80%) required surgical IPG replacement, while 3 (20%) were able to have their IPG function restored non-operatively. In cases analyzed thus far, surgery mode was often not activated prior to surgery.
conclusionSCS IPG inactivation by surgery is not a rare problem and is presumably engendered by monopolar electrocautery. Premature IPG replacement surgery carries risks and reduces the cost-effectiveness of SCS. Awareness of this problem may prompt more preventative measures to be taken by surgeons, patients, and caretakers, and encourage technological advances to render IPGs less vulnerable to surgical tools. Further research is needed to determine what quality improvement measures could prevent electrical damage to IPGs.
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