High‐frequency (10 kHz) spinal cord stimulation (SCS) as a salvage therapy for failed traditional SCS: A narrative review of the available evidence

• Published in: Pain practice 2023-03, Vol.23 (3), p.301-312
• Main Authors: Provenzano, David Anthony, Park, Nicholas, Edgar, Deborah, Bovinet, Chris, Tate, Jordan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chronic Pain - therapy; complex regional pain syndrome; failed back surgery syndrome; high‐frequency 10 kHz spinal cord stimulation; Humans; lower back pain; low‐frequency spinal cord stimulation; lumbosacral radiculopathy; postlaminectomy syndrome; Prospective Studies; rescue; Retrospective Studies; salvage; Salvage Therapy; Spinal Cord; Spinal Cord Stimulation - methods; traditional spinal cord stimulation; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 1530-7085; 1533-2500
• DOI: 10.1111/papr.13184

Introduction Traditional spinal cord stimulation (t‐SCS) has been used to treat chronic pain for over 50 years. However, up to 30% of patients undergo explant, with the main indication being loss of efficacy (LoE), and few alternative treatment options exist for these patients. Strategies to mitigate LoE commonly include conversion to another type of SCS (termed ‘salvage’ or ‘rescue’). This review summarizes the existing literature concerning the efficacy and safety of 10 kHz SCS as a salvage therapy. Methods We searched PubMed, the Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov, and other sources between January 2009 and April 2021. Records were retained if the authors reported clinical outcomes with a minimum of ≥ 3 months of follow‐up in patients implanted with a Senza® 10 kHz SCS system in an effort to treat t‐SCS LoE. Results Ten articles were eligible for inclusion, reporting 3 prospective studies and 7 retrospective reviews. In the single study that salvaged patients without a repeat trial prior to surgery, 81% of patients were responders (≥ 50% pain relief from baseline), with mean pain relief of 60%. Among repeat‐trial studies, the responder rate ranged from 46% to 80%, and mean pain relief from 47% to 68%. No unanticipated therapy‐related safety issues were reported among the included articles. Conclusion Preliminary data suggest that chronic back and/or leg pain patients with t‐SCS LoE can experience improved and durable pain relief after conversion to 10 kHz SCS. However, additional research is needed to define predictors of success and establish whether salvage without a repeat trial is a viable conversion method.