The Italian experience with octopolar perc-paddle leads.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of spinal cord stimulation using octopolar perc-paddle leads (S-Series, St. Jude Medical, St. Paul, MN, USA) introduced percutaneously with St. Jude Medical's Epiducer Lead Delivery System in patients suffering from low back and leg pain. MATERIALS AND METHOD We performed a retrospective review of patients implanted from 2009 to 2012 in Italy. Seventy-six patients were initially enrolled in the study. The patients' follow-up varies from 12 to 30 months. RESULTS Seventy-one patients, 60 suffering from failed back surgery syndrome and 11 from spinal stenosis, reported significant improvement in pain symptoms and good paresthesia coverage of the affected regions. Pain reduction according to the Numerical Rating Scale ranged from 55% to 63%. The use of this new device appears to enhance the recruitment of the fibers of the lumbar region to obtain a reduction of the energy required for the stimulation and a more pleasant stimulation reported by patients. CONCLUSION The possibility of using a percutaneous paddle lead, reducing the surgical aggressiveness but taking advantage of a different electric field and a better recruitment of the fibers of the lumbar region, has allowed pain therapists to be more effective in the treatment of these patients. The use of this device system suggests that the percutaneous paddle placement is safe and effective.