title: Multicolumn spinal cord stimulation lead implantation using an optic transligamentar minimally invasive technique.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A new generation of neurostimulation surgical leads is used to increase the success of spinal cord stimulation in difficult-to-treat indications such as failed back surgery syndrome. Minimal access spinal technologies (MASTs) have previously been used for surgical lead implantation. However, only a unilateral approach was possible, causing difficulties for median lead placement, and not always preventing laminectomy. A recent MAST technique was used to implant spinal cord stimulation leads without these limitations.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe the MAST technique used in a pilot study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-four consecutive patients were implanted with a multicolumn surgical lead for refractory chronic back and leg pain by using the optic transligamentar MAST technique.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The MAST technique allowed median lead placement, facilitated visualization of the spine, and permitted transligamentar insertion that minimized scarring and muscle damage. No technique-related adverse events or lead revisions were reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Use of a MAST approach could be useful in safe implantation of multicolumn surgical leads in difficult-to-treat, refractory lower back pain conditions such as failed back surgery syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Poitiers University School of Medicine, Poitiers, France. p.rigoard@chu-poitiers.fr
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rigoard
authors.forename: Anh Tran
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Luong
authors.forename: Alexandre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Delmotte
authors.forename: Mille
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Raaholt
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Roulaud
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Monlezun
authors.forename: Audrey
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Triphose
authors.forename: Farid
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Guetarni
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Brugière
authors.forename: Lorraine
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Misbert
authors.forename: Bakari
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Diallo
authors.forename: Benoit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bataille
mesh_terms: D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000502:physiology*; D062187:Spinal Cord Stimulation / Q000379:methods*