title: Peripheral nerve field stimulation for chronic neuropathic pain: a single institution experience.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Peripheral nerve field stimulation (PNFS) is a novel neurosurgical procedure consisting of implantation of subcutaneous leads in specific painful areas in different types of painful, drug-resistant syndromes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of PNFS in several patients affected by different chronic neuropathic pain syndromes, along with its risks, limits and possible correlation between the results achieved and the patients' main symptoms.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-two patients affected by different types of chronic neuropathic pain were submitted to PNFS at the Department of Neurosurgery of the Istituto Neurologico "C. Besta" in Milan between July 2009 and July 2013. The visual analog scale (VAS) and variations in the use of analgesic drugs, along with complications, were considered to assess results.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 59 % of our patients, an average pain reduction of 5.50 points on the visual analog scale was observed (average pre-implant score 8.86 and average post-implant score 3.36). These patients reduced their analgesic drug use after PNFS. We observed no early or long-term complications after our last follow-up evaluation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PNFS can be considered an effective and safe option to treat carefully selected, drug-resistant and chronic neuropathic pain patients; the reversibility of the procedure and its lack, at least in our hands, of long-term complications may contribute to wider use of this procedure.
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Fondazione Istituto Neurologico "C. Besta", Via Celoria 11, 20133, Milan, Italy.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: D'Ammando
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Fondazione Istituto Neurologico "C. Besta", Via Celoria 11, 20133, Milan, Italy.
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Messina
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Fondazione Istituto Neurologico "C. Besta", Via Celoria 11, 20133, Milan, Italy.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Franzini
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Fondazione Istituto Neurologico "C. Besta", Via Celoria 11, 20133, Milan, Italy. ivanodones@gmail.com.
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Dones
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000628:therapy*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Chronic pain; Implantable technology; Neuromodulation; Pain management; Peripheral nerve field stimulation