Abstract
Intrathecal pumps are an option that allows patients who suffer from moderate-to-severe pain to have an improvement in quality of life, reduction in pain, and change in function. They also are an option for patients who are at the end of life to improve alertness, reduce fatigue and nausea, and improve survival. Unfortunately, despite the many positive attributes of these devices, they are not without risks. The complications can be classified as surgical, device related or drug related. This chapter focuses on the complications of intrathecal drug delivery, and on options to assess and reduce risks.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Suggested Reading
Harney D, Victor R. Traumatic syrinx after implantation of an intrathecal catheter. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2004;29(6):606–609.
Thimineur MA, Kravitz E, Vodapally MS. Intrathecal opioid treatment for chronic non-malignant pain: a 3-year prospective study. Pain. 2004;109(3):242–249.
Coffey RJ, Burchiel KJ. Inflammatory mass lesions associated with intrathecal drug infusion catheters: report and observations on 41 patients. Neurosurgery. 2002;50(1): in press.
Yaksh TL, Horais KA, Tozier NA, et al. Chronically infused intrathecal morphine in dogs. Anesthesiology. 2003;99(1):174–187.
Huntoon MA, Hurdle MF, Marsh RW, Reeves RK. Intrinsic spinal cord catheter placement: implications of new intractable pain in a patient with a spinal cord injury. Anesth Analg. 2004;99(6):1763–1765. table of contents.
Follett KA, Naumann CP. A prospective study of catheter-related complications of intrathecal drug delivery systems. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2000;19(3):209–215.
Paice JA, Penn RD, Shott S. Intraspinal morphine for chronic pain: a retrospective, multicenter study. J Pain Symptom Manage. 1996;11(2):71-80.
Winkelmuller M, Winkelmuller W. Long-term effects of continuous intrathecal opioid treatment in chronic pain of nonmalignant etiology. J Neurosurg. 1996;85(3):458–467.
Deer T. A prospective analysis of intrathecal granuloma in chronic pain patients. A review of the literature and report of a surveillance study. An original contribution. Pain Physician. 2004;7:225–228.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Deer, T.R. (2011). Complications of Intrathecal Drug Delivery. In: Atlas of Implantable Therapies for Pain Management. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-88567-4_28
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-88567-4_28
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY
Print ISBN: 978-0-387-88566-7
Online ISBN: 978-0-387-88567-4
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)