Long-term intrathecal administration of midazolam and clonidine.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the clinical usefulness of the long-term intrathecal administration of midazolam and clonidine in patients with refractory neurogenic and musculoskeletal pain.


METHODS
Pain Centre, Academic Hospital Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.


METHODS
Four patients with chronic benign neurogenic and musculoskeletal pain, not responding to conventional analgesic therapy. OUTCOME-MEASURES: Visual Analogue Score, Activities of Daily Living.


RESULTS
The intrathecal administration of midazolam and clonidine produced almost immediate and nearly complete pain relief. Even with continuous use, tolerance seemed to be no problem, and side effects appear to be minimal.


CONCLUSIONS
Intrathecal infusion of midazolam and clonidine produced promising results in four patients with refractory chronic benign pain. Further research will be necessary to determine the efficacy and the risk-to-benefit ratio of long-term administration of this combination.
Borg
P A
PA
Department of Anaesthesiology, Academic Hospital Groningen, The Netherlands.
Krijnen
H J
HJ
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003000:Clonidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007278:Injections, Spinal; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008874:Midazolam / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D010146:Pain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011859:Radiography; D000070599:Shoulder Injuries
D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D003000:Clonidine; D008874:Midazolam