Review Article
The application of spinal cord stimulation to treat refractory pain
Ying Zheng, Teng Huang, Dan Lyu, Wei Zheng, Zhun Wang, Yongjin He
Published 2018-09-15
Cite as Int J Anesth Resus, 2018, 39(9): 888-891. DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.1673-4378.2018.09.016
Abstract
BackgroundRefractory pain is a chronic disease that is not responsive to conventional medications and physical therapy. Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has been recently employed to treat refractory pain, and its efficacy and safety have been verified.
ObjectiveThis article aims to review the clinical application of SCS in the treatment of refractory pain.
ContentThe electrode for SCS is inserted into epidural space to stimulate spinal dorsal fasciculus and sensory neurons. The overall effect of SCS is blocking pain signal transduction probably by enhancing the release of γ-aminobutyric acid, but inhibiting the release of glutamate in the spinal cord dorsal horn. Refractory pain has been reported in failed back surgery syndrome, complex regional pain syndromes, painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and postherpetic neuralgia. In 80% of patients with refractory pain, SCS shows therapeutic efficacy much better than conventional treatments, and improves sleeping, as well.
TrendSCS is a safe and effective method for the treatment of refractory pain.
Key words:
Refractory pain; Spinal cord electrical stimulation
Contributor Information
Ying Zheng
Department of Pain Management, Tianjin First Center Hospital, Tianjin 300192, China
Teng Huang
Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300304, China
Dan Lyu
Department of Pain Management, Tianjin First Center Hospital, Tianjin 300192, China
Wei Zheng
Department of Pain Management, Tianjin First Center Hospital, Tianjin 300192, China
Zhun Wang
Department of Pain Management, Tianjin First Center Hospital, Tianjin 300192, China
Yongjin He
Department of Pain Management, Tianjin First Center Hospital, Tianjin 300192, China