• Jan Rudiger and Simon Thomson.
• Anesthetics & Paediatric ICU, St. George's Hospital, Tooting, UK.
• Neuromodulation. 2011 Mar 1;14(2):136-41; discussion 141.

ObjectivesSpinal cord stimulator (SCS) infections are common (2.5-13%) and may cause harm. It is unclear if a screening trial with definitive leads presents an increased infection risk.MethodsEighty-four patients with SCS implantations were reviewed from 2004 to May 2008 with a trial period lasting 1-3 weeks.ResultsDuring the trial one infection (1.2%) occurred with removal of the SCS leads. Three infections (3.6%) occurred after the second stage and were successfully treated with antibiotics. No full implant was explanted due to infection. The more skilled/experienced operator had a lower infection rate (1.8%) than the less skilled/experienced (13%).ConclusionsOur infection rate (4.8%) compared favorably with our previous survey (7.5%). The reduced number of SCS infections is likely to be due to: strict asepsis, double layer hydrocolloid dressing during the trial, prophylactic antibiotics, operator experience, and patient education. Two-stage procedures with extended trials do not seem to increase the incidence of SCS infections.© 2010 International Neuromodulation Society.

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