A pain in the pocket: Prevalence of pocket pain in patients with implantation of neuromodulation systems: A retrospective study

Introduction

Implantable pulse generator (IPG) is a neurostimulation therapy mediated by electrodes and surgically implanted in a subcutaneous "pocket" used for the control of numerous pathologies. This study examines both the prevalence of pain associated with IPG implantation ("pain pocket syndrome") and its associated characteristics.

Materials and methods

56 patients with an IPG were included in the study. A health questionnaire was conducted to determine the presence of pain associated with the pocket and its neuropathic characteristics, as well as associated aesthetic concerns, location, situations that accentuate or alleviate pain, medications used for baseline and pocket pain control and other factors associated.

Results

Pain in the area of implantation of the IPG had a prevalence of 52.6% of patients (n = 27), in our sample, with a mean score on the visual analogic scale (VAS) of 4.9 points [3.9–5.8 points], with neuropathic characteristics in 53.3% (n = 16) of the patients with pain, with differences between the mean VAS score of the female (5.5 [4.3–5.8 points]) and males (3.5 points [2.1–4.9 points]) (p = 0.04).

Conclusion

Pocket pain is a condition with a higher prevalence than described in previous studies, being of a higher intensity in females, involving a moderate pain in the area of implantation of the neuromodulating therapy. This pain has neuropathic characteristics and could require a repositioning intervention. Hence, more studies in this field should be carried to detect and prevent this syndrome.