Analysis of the mid-term efficacy of spinal cord stimulation in postherpetic neuralgia
Huang Yunjian
Jiang Zaiying
Ni Bing
Du Tao
Lu Guang
Wang Yunpeng
Zhu Hongwei
Abstract：Objective To evaluate the mid-term efficacy and safety of long-term spinal cord stimulation(SCS)in the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia(PHN).Methods Clinical data of 17 patients with PHN treated with SCS were analyzed retrospectively.All the patients first underwent Stage Ⅰ SCS electrode implantation,followed by external testing using an extension lead.Upon confirming effectiveness,the implantable pulse generator(IPG)was inserted in Stage Ⅱ.Demographic and surgical data were extracted from medical records.Clinical efficacy was assessed through outpatient visits and telephone follow-ups,using the visual analogue scale(VAS)for pain,the five-level EuroQol five-dimensional questionnaire(EQ-5D-5L),and the patient global impression of change(PGIC)scale.The mid-term efficacy and complications associated with SCS treatment for PHN were analyzed.Results Among the patients,8 underwent long-term SCS implantation.At both 3 and 6 months postoperatively,VAS scores were significantly lower than baseline,while EQ-VAS scores and health utility values were significantly higher.No statistically significant differences were found in VAS,EQ-VAS,health utility values,or PGIC between the 3-month and 6-month follow-ups.No serious complications were observed in patients with long-term SCS implantation.Conclusions The success rate of SCS testing in PHN patients is relatively low.However,for patients who underwent SCS device implantation and showed a positive test response,the medium-term efficacy is stable,with fewer complications.
Keywords：neuralgiapostherpeticspinal cord stimulationneuromodulationpain management
Publication Date：2025-04-20
Online Publishing Date：2025-08-15(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：6( 191-196 )