Long-term use of narcotic/antidepressant medication in the management of phantom limb pain.
The successful management of 5 consecutive patients with intractable phantom limb pain is described. The main therapy is a combination of a narcotic and antidepressant. Medication remained effective during the average observation time of 22 months. There were no signs of habituation or addiction. We conclude that narcotics can be safely and successfully utilized for long-term management of phantom limb pain.
Urban
Bruno J
BJ
Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710 U.S.A. Department of Psychiatry, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, U.S.A. Department of Anesthesiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 22 South Greens Street, Baltimore, MD 21201 U.S.A.
France
Randal D
RD
Steinberger
Eileen K
EK
Scott
Dianne L
DL
Maltbie
Allan A
AA
D000368:Aged; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010148:Intractable Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D010591:Phantom Limb / Q000150:complications*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000928:Antidepressive Agents