Spinal Cord Stimulator Paddle Lead Revision and Replacement for Misplaced or Displaced Electrodes.

Objective: Spinal cord stimulators (SCSs) are commonly implanted via a laminotomy or laminectomy. Revision surgery may be necessary in instances of hardware failure or loss of efficacy. It is uncommon for leads to have been initially misplaced in a suboptimal position and revision in these cases necessitates additional dissection for appropriate repositioning. Accordingly, there is concern with a more extensive revision for a potentially higher risk of associated complications. This study aims to describe a series of patients with failed paddle SCS electrodes due to misplacement who underwent revision and replacement.

Methods: Patients who underwent SCS paddle replacement for misplaced paddles between 2021 and 2023 were identified. Medical charts were reviewed for demographic data, operative details, and incidence of complications.

Results: Sixteen patients underwent thoracic SCS paddle revision and replacement. The mean age was 59.6 ± 12.6 years, with 11 females and 5 males. Misplaced paddles were too lateral (n = 12), too high (n = 2), or incompletely within the epidural space (n = 2). The mean duration from initial implantation to revision surgery was 44.8 ± 47.5 months. The mean operative duration was 126.1 ± 26.9 minutes and all patients required a "skip" laminectomy or laminotomy. No complications were encountered. The mean length of follow-up was 18.4 ± 7.3 months. Mean preoperative pain intensity was 7.9 ± 1.5 and at last follow-up was 3.6 ± 1.7 (P < 0.001). All but 1 patient continued to use their device in follow-up.

Conclusions: The revision and replacement of misplaced paddle SCS electrodes is a feasible and durable revision strategy, even in long-term implants with extensive scarring.