title: Effectively starting and titrating intrathecal analgesic therapy in patients with refractory cancer pain.
abstract: Patients continue to suffer from pain despite their analgesic regimen and frequently from symptoms related to these interventions. This article describes the role that intrathecal analgesia may play in improving comfort for individuals experiencing refractory pain and/or symptoms of opioid therapy. Patient selection, staff education, institution requirements, medications, and titration guidelines also will be reviewed. Patients with cancer clearly deserve to achieve comfort; therefore, intrathecal therapy, which is a safe intervention, must be considered when refractory pain or symptoms occur.
authors.affiliation: Medtronic Neurological, USA. user479069@aol.com
authors.forename: Patrick J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Coyne
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Jill
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Laird
authors.forename: Lea Ann
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Drake
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D015360:Analgesia, Epidural / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing; D003663:Decision Trees; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing; D006801:Humans; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010148:Intractable Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012944:Social Support; D013131:Spine