Long-Term Multicolumn-Lead Spinal Cord Stimulation Efficacy in Patients with Failed Back Surgery Syndrome: A Six-Year Prospective Follow-up Study.

OBJECTIVE: The use of multicolumn-lead spinal cord stimulation (SCS) to control back pain (BP) and leg pain (LP) in patients with failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) in the short term and mid-term has been well documented. Our study investigated whether SCS remained efficient after 72 months. METHODS: In an observational, single-center study, we assessed SCS efficacy in 62 patients with FBSS patients. BP, LP, and magnitude of daily activity limitation (DAL) were graded using a 0-10 visual analog scale (VAS) preoperatively and at 2, 6, 12, 24, 36, and 72 months after SCS implantation. Sleep quality, use of medications, and complications were also recorded. RESULTS: Of the 62 patients, 15 with complete follow-up data available were still using their SCS device at 72 months (SCS+). For these patients, the VAS scores for BP, LP, and DAL had changed from a median of 9 (interquartile range [IQR], 8.5-10), 7 (IQR, 6-8), and 8 (IQR, 8-9) preoperatively to a median of 4 (IQR, 3-4.5), 3 (IQR, 1.5-3.5), and 3 (IQR, 2-4) at 72 months. Their quality of sleep and analgesic medication consumption had also improved. In a subset of patients no longer using the SCS device after 72 months (SCS-), the VAS scores for BP, LP, and DAL, quality of sleep, and medication consumption were comparable to those for the SCS+ group. The SCS- group was less satisfied with the technique and were less professionally active than were the SCS+ group. CONCLUSIONS: The SCS device provides sustained beneficial effects on BP, LP, DAL, sleep, and medication consumption in patients with FBSS still using it at 72 months postoperatively. Further studies are needed to identify the factors of adherence to the technique and the chances of success compared with the natural evolution of FBSS.

Stereotactic ventriculoperitoneal shunting for refractory idiopathic intracranial hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: Recent reports have shown promising short- to medium-term results in patients with refractory idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) treated using the stereotactic ventriculoperitoneal shunting (SVPS) technique. However, the long-term clinical efficacy of this technique remains questionable. This report provides the long-term results of SVPS in treating refractory IIH patients. METHODS: We reviewed the medical charts of nine consecutive patients (mean age, 26.4 yr; range, 4-63 yr) treated using either a frame-based or frameless SVPS technique for IIH. RESULTS: The mean postoperative follow-up period was 44.3 months (range, 6-110 mo). Before shunting procedures were performed, each patient presented with intractable headache, and five patients (55.6%) had mild to moderate visual deficits. The last follow-up assessment showed that after shunting was performed, eight patients (89%) were headache-free. Only one patient had recurrent headache; however, this patient's pain was much less frequent and severe than before the shunting procedure was completed and was concomitant with recent weight increase. Visual deficits were resolved in three patients and remained stable in two who already had optic nerve atrophy before shunting was completed. Twelve SVPS procedures were performed on our patients. Nine shunt revisions were needed in six patients because of infection (n = 5, including two revisions in one patient), valve dysfunction (n = 2), distal obstruction (n = 1), and ventricular catheter malpositioning (n = 1). No patient had proximal catheter obstruction. CONCLUSION: Given the favorable long-term outcome of the SVPS technique for refractory IIH, we are encouraged to apply this procedure on our patients. More invasive approaches should be reserved for patients who have SVPS failure.

Epidural administration of low-dose morphine combined with clonidine for postoperative analgesia after lumbar disc surgery.

This study evaluates the efficacy and side effects of a low dose of epidural morphine combined with clonidine for postoperative pain relief after lumbar disc surgery. In 36 of 51 patients who accepted the procedure, an epidural catheter was inserted (L1-L2 level). General anesthesia was induced with propofol and sufentanil, and maintained with sevoflurane in O2/N2O. After emergence from anesthesia, epidural analgesia was initiated according to two randomly assigned protocols: 1 mg of morphine with 75 microg of clonidine (Group M) or 12.5 mg of bupivacaine with 75 microg of clonidine (Group B), in 10 mL saline. Piritramide was administered during the first postoperative 24 hours using a patient-controlled analgesia device (PCA). The following parameters were recorded: piritramide consumption during the first 24 hours; pain at rest during the first postoperative hours (D0), during the first night (D1), and during the first mobilization; [visual analogue scale (VAS)]; and the occurrence of drowsiness, motor blockade, respiratory depression, nausea, vomiting, itching, micturition problems, and bladder catheterization during D0 and D1. Epidural administration of morphine-clonidine significantly improved postoperative pain relief and reduced piritramide consumption as compared to epidural bupivacaine-clonidine. Side effects did not differ between groups except for a higher incidence of micturition problems in Group M during D1. The occurrence of bladder catheterization was not significantly higher in that group. We conclude that a low dose of epidural morphine combined with clonidine offers a better postoperative analgesia than does bupivacaine-clonidine. The excellent analgesic conditions were obtained at the expense of a higher incidence of difficulties in initiating micturition.