title: [Importance of intrathecal pain therapy].
abstract: Intraspinal drug infusion using implantable pumps and catheter systems is a safe and effective therapy for selected pain patients with severe chronic pain. It improves pain relief, reduces drug-related side effects, decreases the need for oral analgesia and enhances quality of life in a segment of chronic pain patients whose pain has not been controlled with more conservative therapies. Intrathecal drug therapy has therefore established its role in the treatment of malignant pain, benign pain and severe spasticity.Careful patient selection and management as well as a multidisciplinary approach are determinants of successful treatment. Current practices for patient selection and management, screening, drug selection, dosing and implantation for intrathecal drug delivery systems are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Landeskrankenhaus, Klagenfurt. r.likar@aon.at
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Likar
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ilias
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kloimstein
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kofler
authors.forename: H G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Kress
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Neuhold
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Pinter
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Spendel
mesh_terms: D015360:Analgesia, Epidural / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D000818:Animals; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D015918:Infusion Pumps, Implantable / Q000523:psychology; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000523:psychology; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid