The utility of bone cement to prevent lead migration with minimally invasive placement of spinal cord stimulator laminectomy leads

BACKGROUND: Lead migration is a significant concern with spinal cord stimulator (SCS) placement with rates ranging from 10% to 60%. OBJECTIVE: To describe a novel technique using bone cement at the laminotomy site to help prevent lead migration after minimally invasive placement of laminectomy paddle leads and to present our short-term results. METHODS: A review of a prospectively maintained database identified all patients who underwent minimally invasive placement of laminectomy leads with the use of bone cement. All procedures were performed between July 2008 and August 2010 with conscious sedation and local anesthetic. Intraoperative testing was performed to confirm good pain coverage. A small volume of bone cement (1-3 cm³) was then placed to cover the laminectomy defect. Radiographic and clinical follow-up was assessed. RESULTS: Forty-two patients (mean age, 58.0 years) underwent 42 procedures. Back pain (88.1%) and leg pain (88.6%) were the most common presenting symptoms. No intraoperative complications were noted. Two patients (4.8%) required removal of their devices because of nonhealing wounds. All patients were followed up for a minimum of 6 months, and no cases of clinical or radiographic lead migration were seen at the time of publication. CONCLUSION: We present a novel technique in the hopes of decreasing the incidence of lead migration after minimally invasive placement of spinal cord stimulator laminectomy paddle leads. Our results have been promising thus far with no cases of lead migration.