Can't remember if this was brought up before on this forum so I apologize but anyone done this safely? Need to see neurology before the program VNS or do bipolar vs conventional? Treating lumbar spine.
I’ve damaged an SCS battery during an RFLimited literature but extrapolates to be safe.
"Safety standards from the manufacturer state that radiofrequency ablation devices may damage the generator. Recommendations are made (i) to minimize the current that flows into the generator and lead system, and (ii) to position the electrodes as far as possible from the generator and lead [12]. In our patient's case, we believe that there was no current flow through the VNS therapy system. Impedance parameters were unchanged after RFA, despite known long-term durability issues with the implanted lead model (M302) [1]. The radiofrequency energy likely remained confined to the antral pulmonary veins, with a hot spot located far from the generator and lead."
I'd agree that bipolar has the lowest liability but I would place the grounding pad on the contralateral buttock and proceed as you normally would.
Are you sure? What’d they tell you?I’ve damaged an SCS battery during an RF
Well nothing. This was 2 yrs out of fellowship. After I did the RF, the patient said his SCS quit working. Rep came in and interrogated it and said battery was completely dead. I think it was only a few years old. I attributed it to my RF but who knowsAre you sure? What’d they tell you?
Sure, was it a Nevro battery?I’ve damaged an SCS battery during an RF