Spinal cord stimulation in the treatment of neuropathic pain: Current perspectives of indications, cost-effectiveness, complications and results

Authors

  • Bruno Camporeze League of Neurosurgery of Medical School of Sao Francisco University, Bragança Paulista, SP, Brazil
  • Renata Faria Simm Division of Neurology of Santa Paula Hospital, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
  • Iracema Araújo Estevão League of Neurosurgery of Medical School of Sao Francisco University, Bragança Paulista, SP, Brazil
  • Luis Roberto Mathias Junior Division of Neurosurgery of Santa Paula Hospital and Division of Neurosurgery of Oswaldo Cruz Hospital, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
  • Paulo Henrique Pires de Aguiar Division of Neurosurgery of Santa Paula Hospital, SP, Brazil. Division of Neurosurgery of Oswaldo Cruz Hospital, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Department of Neurosurgery, Public Servant Hospital of São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Department of Surgery, Post-graduation Section in the Surgery Program of the Federal University Rio Grande do Sul, RS, Brazil. Department of Neurology of Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo, Sorocaba, SP, Brazil.
  • Sylvine Carrondo-Cottin CHU de Québec Research Center (Enfant-Jésus Hospital), Department of Neurosciences of Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Canada

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17532/jhsci.2017.399

Keywords:

Neuropathic Pain, Pain Management, Neurosurgical Procedure, Electric Stimulation Therapy, Spinal Cord Stimulation

Abstract

Introduction: The spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has been described as a valuable neuromodulating procedure in the management of chronic and medically untreated neuropathic pain. Although, many studies have discussed the use of this technique, a question still remains regarding its efficacy in different medical conditions with different etiology in the long term. The aim of this paper is to discuss the risks, complications, cost-effectiveness and results of SCS in patients affected by chronic neuropathic pain based on the comprehensive literature review.

Methods: Bibliographic search of references from 1950 to 2016 using the databases MEDLINE, LILACS, SciELO, PubMed, and applied language as selection criteria, choosing preferably recent articles written in Portuguese, Spanish or English.

Results: Based on literature review, SCS is a safe, reversible, adjustable and nondestructive surgical procedure demonstrating a significant effect in the reduction of pain intensity and improvement in quality of life in these patients. Furthermore, in spite of the initial high cost to its application, SCS has been associated with lower rates of complications and high rates of cost-effectiveness when compared to standard therapies.

Conclusion: Although used in medical conditions with different etiology, the procedure is still an effective and a cost-effective approach to neuropathic pain, mainly in patients affected by failed back pain syndrome (FBSS) and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).


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Published

25.09.2017

Issue

Section

Reviews

How to Cite

1.
Spinal cord stimulation in the treatment of neuropathic pain: Current perspectives of indications, cost-effectiveness, complications and results. JHSCI [Internet]. 2017 Sep. 25 [cited 2024 Dec. 5];7(2):68-79. Available from: https://www.jhsci.ba/ojs/index.php/jhsci/article/view/610