scholarly journals Peripheral Nerve Stimulation of the Thoracic Paravertebral Plexus for Chronic Neuropathic Pain

2011 ◽  
Vol 3;14 (3;5) ◽  
pp. 295-300
Author(s):  
Dominic Hegarty
Keyword(s):  
Neuropathic Pain ◽  
Peripheral Nerve ◽  
Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Peripheral Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Surgical Pain ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Clinical Awareness ◽  
Term Management ◽  
Stimulation Of

Persistent post surgical pain is reported in 70% of patients following thoracotomy and mastectomy. This pain is often neuropathic in nature and occasionally it is refractory to traditional medical and interventional management. Neurostimulation of peripheral nerves can be a highly effective clinical modality for the management of neuropathic pain. The placement of a percutaneously sited electrode in the thoracic paravertebral plexus offers a new and novel mode of managing refractory thoracic neuropathic pain. We present 2 cases that demonstrate the effectiveness of this intervention in the long-term management of this clinical dilemma. The first case presented is that of a 61-year-old female, with unilateral neuropathic pain for 6 years following mastectomy refractory to traditional interventions. Targeted field stimulation of the thoracic paravertebral plexus resulted in significant improvement for 12 years. The second case is that of a 65-year-old male, with Type II diabetes with neuropathic thoracic pain for 6 years following multiple rib fractures (T4-T7) who responded positively to neurostimulation of the thoracic paravertebral plexus. Both of these cases demonstrate a relative reduction in pain intensity (> 80%), the elimination of oral analgesics, and improved functionality directly related to the novel use of this intervention. Effective and reproducible pain relief is achieved by specifically using a low frequency (10 Hz) and low amplitude (2 mA) stimulation technique. Equally important is that these cases highlight the increased risk of inadvertent pleural puncture with the development of a pneumothorax that can be associated with this intervention. Possible clinical, investigative and equipment modifications that need to be considered are discussed. The limitations include only 2 case reports, considered as the lowest level of evidence available in the era of evidence-based medicine, and lack of utilization of multiple other modalities of treatments utilized in managing neuropathic pain. In conclusion, these cases demonstrate the effectiveness of peripheral nerve stimulation of the thoracic paravertebral plexus in the long-term management of refractory neuropathic pain. They also serve to underline the importance of clinical awareness in order to improve patient safety. Key words: Peripheral nerve stimulation, thoracic paravertebral plexus, persistent post surgical pain, neuropathic pain, pneumothorax

Peripheral Nerve Stimulation of Brachial Plexus Nerve Roots and Supra-Scapular Nerve for Chronic Refractory Neuropathic Pain of the Upper Limb

2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (7) ◽  
pp. 684-689 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bénédicte Bouche ◽  
Marie Manfiotto ◽  
Philippe Rigoard ◽  
Jean Lemarie ◽  
Véronique Dix-Neuf ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neuropathic Pain ◽  
Peripheral Nerve ◽  
Brachial Plexus ◽  
Upper Limb ◽  
Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Peripheral Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Nerve Roots ◽  
Stimulation Of

Anatomic substrate of analgesia produced by long-term peripheral nerve stimulation in patients with neuropathic pain: a PET activation study

2007 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 201
Author(s):  
F. Van Calenbergh ◽  
K. Van Laere ◽  
B. Depreitere ◽  
J. Gybels ◽  
L. Plaghki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neuropathic Pain ◽  
Peripheral Nerve ◽  
Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Peripheral Nerve Stimulation

Long term clinical outcome of peripheral nerve stimulation in patients with chronic peripheral neuropathic pain

2009 ◽  
Vol 72 (4) ◽  
pp. 330-335 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank Van Calenbergh ◽  
Jan Gybels ◽  
Koen Van Laere ◽  
Patrick Dupont ◽  
Leon Plaghki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neuropathic Pain ◽  
Clinical Outcome ◽  
Peripheral Nerve ◽  
Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Peripheral Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Peripheral Neuropathic Pain

scholarly journals One Year Follow-up of a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Percutaneous Peripheral Nerve Stimulation for Chronic Neuropathic Pain Following Amputation

Neurosurgery ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 66 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua M Rosenow ◽  
Christopher Gilmore ◽  
Brian M Ilfeld ◽  
Sean Li ◽  
Mehul J Desai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neuropathic Pain ◽  
Pain Relief ◽  
Peripheral Nerve ◽  
Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Peripheral Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Pain Interference ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Double Blind Placebo

Abstract INTRODUCTION Over 85% of patients experience residual limb (RLP) and/or phantom limb (PLP) pain following amputation. Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) is a non-opioid approach to relieve postamputation neuropathic pain. A recent multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study using a novel percutaneous PNS system demonstrated clinically and statistically significant improvements in pain and pain interference with PNS compared to placebo (Gilmore et al, 2019). This work presents prospective 1-yr follow-up to assess durability of pain relief and functional improvements. METHODS Over 85% of patients experience residual limb (RLP) and/or phantom limb (PLP) pain following amputation. Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) is a non-opioid approach to relieve post-amputation neuropathic pain. A recent multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study using a novel percutaneous PNS system demonstrated clinically and statistically significant improvements in pain and pain interference with PNS compared to placebo (Gilmore et al, 2019). This work presents prospective one-year follow-up to assess durability of pain relief and functional improvements. RESULTS A significantly greater proportion of subjects who completed the 12-mo visit reported = 50% pain relief on the BPI-SF (5/8, 63%; average pain relief = 73% among responders) compared to the placebo group at the time of crossover (0/14, 0%, P = .003; average pain relief = 23%). A majority of subjects also reported = 50% reductions in pain interference at 12 mo (5/8, 63%). Two of 13 (15%) subjects in the placebo group reported sustained improvements in pain interference (P = .06). Average reduction in pain interference among responders in the PNS group was 87%. CONCLUSION This work suggests that PNS delivered over 60 d may provide clinically significant and enduring pain relief, enabling improved function and potentially reducing the need for a permanently implanted system.

scholarly journals Percutaneous peripheral nerve stimulation for the treatment of chronic neuropathic postamputation pain: a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled trial

2019 ◽  
Vol 44 (6) ◽  
pp. 637-645 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Gilmore ◽  
Brian Ilfeld ◽  
Joshua Rosenow ◽  
Sean Li ◽  
Mehul Desai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neuropathic Pain ◽  
Pain Relief ◽  
Peripheral Nerve ◽  
Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Peripheral Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Pain Interference ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Chronic Neuropathic Pain ◽  
Postamputation Pain

Background and objectivesChronic neuropathic pain is a common challenging condition following amputation. Recent research demonstrated the feasibility of percutaneously implanting fine-wire coiled peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) leads in proximity to the sciatic and femoral nerves for postamputation pain. A multicenter, double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled study collected data on the safety and effectiveness of percutaneous PNS for chronic neuropathic pain following amputation.MethodsTwenty-eight lower extremity amputees with postamputation pain were enrolled. Subjects underwent ultrasound-guided implantation of percutaneous PNS leads and were randomized to receive PNS or placebo for 4 weeks. The placebo group then crossed over and all subjects received PNS for four additional weeks. The primary efficacy endpoint evaluated the proportion of subjects reporting ≥50% pain reduction during weeks 1–4.ResultsA significantly greater proportion of subjects receiving PNS (n=7/12, 58%, p=0.037) demonstrated ≥50% reductions in average postamputation pain during weeks 1–4 compared with subjects receiving placebo (n=2/14, 14%). Two subjects were excluded from efficacy analysis due to eligibility changes. Significantly greater proportions of PNS subjects also reported ≥50% reductions in pain (n=8/12, 67%, p=0.014) and pain interference (n=8/10, 80%, p=0.003) after 8 weeks of therapy compared with subjects receiving placebo (pain: n=2/14, 14%; pain interference: n=2/13, 15%). Prospective follow-up is ongoing; four of five PNS subjects who have completed 12-month follow-up to date reported ≥50% pain relief.ConclusionsThis work demonstrates that percutaneous PNS therapy may provide enduring clinically significant pain relief and improve disability in patients with chronic neuropathic postamputation pain.Trial registration numberNCT01996254.

scholarly journals Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Peripheral Nerve Stimulation: A Pragmatic Effectiveness Trial of a Nonpharmacologic Alternative for the Treatment of Postoperative Pain

Pain Medicine ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S53-S61
Author(s):  
Brian M Ilfeld ◽  
Harold Gelfand ◽  
Sandeep Dhanjal ◽  
Robert Hackworth ◽  
Anthony Plunkett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Postoperative Pain ◽  
Peripheral Nerve ◽  
Postoperative Analgesia ◽  
Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Peripheral Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Past Century ◽  
Effectiveness Trial ◽  
Small Series ◽  
Surgical Pain ◽  
Introducer Needle

Abstract Background Percutaneous peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) is an analgesic modality involving the insertion of a lead through an introducer needle followed by the delivery of electric current after needle withdrawal. This modality has been used extensively to treat chronic pain, but only small series have been published involving postoperative pain. The ultimate objective of this study is to determine the postoperative effects of percutaneous PNS following moderately to severely painful ambulatory surgery within a real-world clinical practice setting. The primary hypothesis is that surgical pain and opioid consumption during the initial 7 days after surgery will be reduced by percutaneous PNS compared with usual and customary analgesia (dual primary outcome measures). Design A multicenter pragmatic effectiveness trial. We are randomizing participants having painful orthopedic surgical procedures of the upper and lower extremity to receive 14 days of either 1) electrical stimulation or 2) sham in a double-masked fashion. End points are being assessed at various time points over 12 postoperative months. Summary The postoperative experience will be much improved if percutaneous PNS provides potent analgesia while concurrently decreasing opioid requirements following painful surgery. Because this modality can be administered for up to 60 days at home, it may provide postoperative analgesia that outlasts surgical pain yet has relatively few risks and, unlike opioids, has no systemic side effects or potential for abuse, addiction, and overdose. Percutaneous PNS has the potential to revolutionize postoperative analgesia as it has been practiced for the past century. This study will inform key stakeholders regarding an evidence-based nonpharmacologic approach to the management of postoperative pain.

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