Intraoperative Spinal Cord Stimulation Mitigates Central Sensitization After Spine Surgery in Mice

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Pain Management
• Surgical Research

Background:

• Postoperative pain following spine surgery is a significant clinical challenge, with up to 40% of patients developing failed back surgery syndrome.
• Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is effective for chronic pain, but its intraoperative use to prevent central sensitization after spine surgery remains unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if intraoperative spinal cord stimulation (SCS) can prevent the development of hypersensitivity induced by spine surgery.
• To assess the impact of SCS on central sensitization and associated pain behaviors post-laminectomy.

Main Methods:

• A double-blinded, prospective study using a mouse model.
• Mice underwent sham surgery, laminectomy alone, or laminectomy with intraoperative SCS.
• Mechanical hypersensitivity was measured using the von Frey assay, and a conflict avoidance test assessed pain's affective-motivational component.

Main Results:

• Unilateral laminectomy in mice induced mechanical hypersensitivity in both hind paws.
• Intraoperative SCS significantly inhibited the development of hypersensitivity in the hind paw on the SCS-applied side.
• Sham surgery did not result in significant secondary mechanical hypersensitivity.

Conclusions:

• Spine surgery, specifically unilateral laminectomy, triggers central sensitization leading to postoperative pain hypersensitivity.
• Intraoperative SCS shows potential in mitigating this hypersensitivity in specific patient populations undergoing laminectomy.