Six-Month Follow-up of a Trial of Spinal Cord Burst Stimulation vs Placebo Stimulation and Disability in Patients With Chronic Radicular Pain After Lumbar Spine Surgery

The evolution and integration of technology in spinal neurosurgery: A scoping review

Spinal disorders pose a significant global health challenge, affecting nearly 5% of the population and incurring substantial socioeconomic costs. Over time, spinal neurosurgery has evolved from basic 19th-century techniques to today's minimally invasive procedures. The recent integration of technologies such as robotic assistance and advanced imaging has not only improved precision but also reshaped treatment paradigms. This review explores key innovations in imaging, biomaterials, and emerging fields such as AI, examining how they address long-standing challenges in spinal care, including enhancing surgical accuracy and promoting tissue regeneration. Are we at the threshold of a new era in healthcare technology, or are these innovations merely enhancements that may not fundamentally advance clinical care? We aim to answer this question by offering a concise introduction to each technology and discussing in depth its status and challenges, providing readers with a clearer understanding of its actual potential to revolutionize surgical practices.

Spinal epidural hematoma and permanent paraplegia following spinal cord stimulator implantation: a case report

Background

Spinal cord stimulators (SCS) have gained widespread popularity as an intriguing tool for managing chronic neurogenic pain. Despite the growing adoption of SCS as a therapeutic approach, there is a lack of demonstrated efficacy. The clinical utilization of SCS is on the rise, despite potential severe complications and the absence of clear evidence supporting its therapeutic benefits.

Case Description

We present a challenging case of acute spinal epidural hematoma secondary to SCS placement in a liver transplant recipient. The patient exhibited acute bilateral leg weakness, sensory deficits, and urinary dysfunction, 2 days after SCS placement. Urgent surgical decompression was performed 3 days after the permanent placement of the SCS. Even with multiple debridement procedures the patient did not regain any function and remained paraplegic. This case underscores the importance of vigilant monitoring post operatively and timely intervention when epidural hematomas develop. The patient's intricate medical background, encompassing liver transplantation and chronic immunosuppression, contributed to the complexity of the case. Given these evident co-morbidities, the justification for SCS should have been unequivocal. However, what we observe is a vague clinical indication with minimal consideration for the associated risks.

Conclusions

This case highlights the need for cautious consideration of SCS due to its serious and lasting side effects in treating chronic back pain. Surgeons should reevaluate the widespread use of SCS, advocating for reserved usage in controlled trials until therapeutic benefits are firmly established. Despite potential pain relief, the risk of complications, including spinal epidural hematoma, should not be underestimated. Further research is urged to understand therapeutic benefits and assess short- and long-term complications comprehensively.

Comparative Analysis of the Efficacy of Spinal Cord Stimulation and Traditional Debridement Care in the Treatment of Ischemic Diabetic Foot Ulcers: A Retrospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is an effective treatment for diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of SCS in the treatment of ischemic diabetic foot ulcers.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, the SCS group comprised 102 patients with ischemic diabetic foot who were treated with SCS for foot ulcers and nonhealing wounds due to severe lower limb ischemia. The traditional debridement care (TDC) group comprised 104 patients with ischemic diabetic foot who received only TDC. Strict screening criteria were applied. The assignment of patients to either group depended solely on their willingness to be treated with SCS. Secondary end points were transcutaneous partial pressure of oxygen (PtcO 2 ), ankle-brachial index (ABI), and color Doppler of the lower limb arteries in the feet at 6 months and 12 months after treatment. The primary end point was the amputation.

RESULTS

The dorsal foot PtcO 2 and ABI of the patients in the SCS group were significantly improved at 6 months and 12 months postoperation ( P < .05). The therapeutic efficacy was significantly better than that of the TDC group over the same period of time ( P < .05). The degree of vasodilation of the lower limb arteries (ie, femoral, popliteal, posterior tibial, and dorsalis pedis arteries) on color Doppler was higher in the SCS group than in the TDC group ( P < .05). The odds ratios for total amputation at 6 and 12 months postoperatively in the SCS group were 0.45 (95% CI, 0.19-1.08) and 0.17 (95% CI, 0.08-0.37), respectively, compared with the TDC group.

CONCLUSION

SCS improved symptoms of lower limb ischemia in ischemic diabetic feet and reduced the rate of toe amputation by increasing PtcO 2 , ABI, and arterial vasodilation in the lower limbs.

Corporate Influences on Science and Health-the Case of Spinal Cord Stimulation

This Viewpoint discusses tactics by corporations to criticize scientific research that may be unfavorable to their industries, recently including the spinal cord stimulator industry.