The use of laminectomy for the placement of a percutaneous spinal cord stimulation electrode

Objective: The placement of a percutaneous electrode for trial stimulation to evaluate the effectiveness of spinal cord stimulation can be impossible because of epidural adhesions from previous spinal surgeries. The authors would like to describe a combination of techniques in order to place a percutaneous lead for a test phase. Materials and Methods: Technical report of an illustrative case where a partial laminectomy was used to assist a percutaneous lead placement. Results: Adequate trial spinal cord stimulation with a single lead electrode at the right target area was possible. Conclusion: This case demonstrates the possibility to use a combination of an open and percutaneous technique for trial spinal cord stimulation in patients with prior operations in the target area of stimulation