Long-term intraspinal infusions of opioids with a new implantable medication pump.
Experiences with long-term intraspinal infusion of opioid drugs using the new implantable medication pump VIP 30 in patients with chronic non-malignant pain are reported. During a 19-month period 10 patients with chronic pain--mainly mixed nociceptive-neuropathic pain--underwent implantation of the medication pump for long-term treatment. The mean follow-up period was 9.5 months. Pain relief was classified as very good in 22.2%, good in 44.4%, moderate in 22.2% and poor in 11.1%. In 88.9% of the cases the patients stated they would undergo the same procedure again. Technical problems (catheter dislocation) developed in 1/10 patients could be surgically corrected. One pump including catheter was explanted because of an infected seroma within the pocket area. Long-term intrathecal application of opioids with the VIP 30 pumps is an effective and safe treatment in patients with chronic non-malignant pain.
Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, General Hospital Klagenfurt, Austria.
R
R
Likar
M C
MC
Spendel
W
W
Amberger
B
B
Kepplinger
S
S
Supanz
A
A
Sadjak
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015918:Infusion Pumps, Implantable; D007278:Injections, Spinal; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009020:Morphine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy; D010147:Pain Measurement
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D009020:Morphine