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132. Kongress der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Chirurgie

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Chirurgie

28.04. - 01.05.2015, München

Infection rates of percutaneously implanted leads for SCS after a trial phase: 5-year follow-up

Meeting Abstract

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  • Gregor Bara - Universitätsklinikum Düsseldorf, Neurochirurgie, Düsseldorf, Deutschland
  • Stefan Schu - Universitätsklinikum Düsseldorf, Neurochirurgie, Düsseldorf, Deutschland
  • Jan Vesper - Universitätsklinikum Düsseldorf, Neurochirurgie, Düsseldorf, Deutschland

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Chirurgie. 132. Kongress der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Chirurgie. München, 28.04.-01.05.2015. Düsseldorf: German Medical Science GMS Publishing House; 2015. Doc15dgch015

doi: 10.3205/15dgch015, urn:nbn:de:0183-15dgch0151

Published: April 24, 2015

© 2015 Bara et al.
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. See license information at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.


Outline

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Introduction: Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is an established treatment for various chronic pain syndromes. In general the percutaneous lead is placed first and being externalized. Upon successful trial with an external pulse generator, the IPG is implanted. The externalized lead may be a potential pathway for germs and cause infections. Infection rates of up to 22% have been reported.

Material and methods: Data was collected prospectively. The patients were implanted with paddle lead using an epiducer system for percutaneous implantation. All implantations were performed under local anesthesia. Prior to the final implantation of the implantable pulse generator, all patients underwent seven days of trial stimulation. 30 Minutes prior to surgery a single shot of Cefazolin has been given. The externalized lead was covered with a hydrocolloid dressing. During externalization and 5 days after IPG implantation patients were given Cefazolin 3x/d. Median follow-up was 36 months.

Results: 432 patients have been implanted so far. Infections requiring removal of the SCS system occurred in 2.0% (n=9).

Conclusion: This study is the largest cohort of SCS patient studied for infections yet. With more indications emerging for SCS and more patients treated, sufficient data on infections becomes more important.Our rate of infection is lower than previously described in the literature. Strict asepsis, peri- and postoperative prophylactic antibiosis may reduce rate of infection efficiently.