Spinal Cord Stimulator Implant Infection Rates and Risk Factors: A Multicenter Retrospective Study

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Pain Management
• Infectious Disease

Background:

• Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a recognized treatment for chronic pain.
• Potential complications include device failure, migration, loss of efficacy, and infection.
• Establishing current infection rates and risk factors is crucial for patient safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• Determine the contemporary infection rate for spinal cord stimulator (SCS) implants.
• Assess the influence of known risk factors on surgical site infections.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of preventative measures in reducing infection rates.

Main Methods:

• A multisite, retrospective review of 2737 SCS implant or revision procedures.
• Analysis of patient demographics and risk factors (diabetes, tobacco use, obesity, revision surgery, etc.).
• Inclusion of data on prophylactic antibiotics, occlusive dressings, and post-operative antibiotics.

Main Results:

• The overall infection rate was 2.45%.
• Diabetes, tobacco use, and obesity did not independently increase infection rates.
• Occlusive dressings and post-operative antibiotics were associated with lower infection rates; academic centers had higher rates.

Conclusions:

• The current SCS infection rate of 2.45% is lower than historical data.
• Occlusive dressings and post-operative antibiotics are effective preventative measures and should be standard care.
• Further research is needed to clarify the impact of certain risk factors and post-operative antibiotic use.