Effect of Body Mass Index on Paddle Lead Spinal Cord Stimulator Safety Implantation for Chronic Pain Management.

Objective: Spinal cord stimulators (SCS) represent an effective treatment for patients with chronic pain issues. This study examines extremely obese patients (body mass index [BMI] ≥40) as appropriate surgical candidates for paddle lead SCS trial via partial thoracic laminectomy and whether obesity impacts implantation safety.

Methods: A retrospective review of patients treated with partial thoracic laminectomy and paddle lead SCS trial between October 1, 2016 and September 30, 2019 was performed.