title: Baclofen Pumps: Uses and Complications.
abstract: Intrathecal baclofen therapy, given via an implanted pump in the abdominal wall either as a continuous infusion or bolus dosing, has been used for more than 25 years to treat the spasticity and dystonia associated with various brain and spinal cord conditions. Pediatric clinicians occasionally encounter baclofen pumps, and in the pediatric setting, significant morbidity can arise from their use. This article presents the background, mechanism of action, uses, and complications of intrathecal baclofen therapy and discusses various management strategies should complications occur.
authors.affiliation: *Fellow (Woolf), Section of Pediatric Emergency Medicine; and †Professor of Pediatrics and of Emergency Medicine (Baum), Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT.
authors.forename: Seth M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Woolf
authors.forename: Carl R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Baum
mesh_terms: D001418:Baclofen / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004421:Dystonia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D015918:Infusion Pumps, Implantable / Q000009:adverse effects; D012086:Reoperation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000453:epidemiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D001418:Baclofen