Papers of the Week

Prior to the permanent implant of a spinal cord stimulator, patients typically undergo a screening trial using a percutaneously placed lead to ensure adequate response. However, due to several factors, patients may not be candidates for this screening trial and therefore instead undergo a “permanent trial” where either a percutaneous lead or paddle lead is placed using a tunneled extension for the trial, with the intent of conversion to a permanent system. If these patients proceed with an implant, the epidural space is not re-accessed and only an impulse generator (IPG) is needed. Although this technique is commonly employed, there is a paucity of literature describing outcomes with the “permanent trial” methodology. We present here our clinical experience with this technique.