title: Use of the Edmonton Injector for parenteral opioid management of cancer pain: a study of 100 consecutive patients.
abstract: In this retrospective study, we reviewed the patterns of use of the Edmonton Injector (EI) in 100 consecutive cancer patients. Seventy-eight patients used the EI for an average of 23 +/- 27 days. The main reasons for starting the EI were nausea (37 patients) and severe pain (31 patients). The median opioid dose equivalent to parenteral morphine (MEDD) was 264 +/- 443 mg/day. The mean duration of the subcutaneous injection site was 6.5 +/- 9.2 days. The most frequent reasons for change were accidental needle pulling (59%) and erythema (12%). Only two patients developed local infection (1% of 196 sites). The average cost of treatment was $1.65 Canadian per patient per day. No mechanical problems or refusals to start or continue treatment were detected. We conclude that the EI is a safe and simple device that allows for cost-effective parenteral administration of opioids for cancer pain.
authors.affiliation: Palliative Care Program, Edmonton General Hospital, University of Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bruera
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Velasco-Leiva
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Spachynski
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fainsinger
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: MacEachern
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D016058:Analgesia, Patient-Controlled / Q000295:instrumentation; D004864:Equipment and Supplies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009294:Narcotics / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D009294:Narcotics