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Published on: June 26, 2018
Dermabond Versus Suture Fixation for Spinal Cord Stimulator Trial Lead Anchoring: A Randomized Within-Patient
Robert W Hurley1,2,3,4, Janus S Patel1,4, Daniel J Bintrim1,4
1Department of Anesthesiology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, United States.
Pain Medicine (Malden, Mass.)
|July 3, 2026
Summary
Dermabond (2-octyl cyanoacrylate) offers comparable spinal cord stimulator (SCS) lead stability to traditional suture, supporting its use as a noninvasive option. Patient factors like male sex and prior spine surgery, not fixation method, predict lead migration.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Pain Management
- Biomaterials
Background:
- Percutaneous spinal cord stimulator (SCS) trial leads require stable fixation.
- Traditional suture methods carry risks, prompting investigation into alternatives like Dermabond (2-octyl cyanoacrylate).
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the lead stability of Dermabond versus suture for percutaneous SCS trial leads.
- To identify patient-level factors influencing lead migration.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, randomized, within-patient controlled trial was conducted.
- Forty-eight adult patients received bilateral thoracic SCS trial leads, with one randomized to Dermabond and the contralateral to suture.
- Radiographic lead migration was measured upright between placement and trial end.
Main Results:
- Mean absolute migration was 9.15 mm for Dermabond and 10.60 mm for suture, with no statistically significant difference (p=0.58).
- Male sex and prior spine surgery were significant predictors of greater lead migration (p<0.05).
- Anchor method, BMI, and age did not significantly predict migration.
Conclusions:
- Dermabond provides clinically comparable lead stability to suture for SCS trials.
- Patient-specific factors, particularly male sex and history of spine surgery, are key drivers of lead migration.
- Future strategies to minimize SCS lead migration should focus on patient-level risk factors rather than solely on anchoring techniques.
