Clinical observation of the effect of a totally implantable programmable device for continuous intrathecal infusion in the treatment of intractable neuropathic pain

Abstract

Objective To observe the curative effect and life quality improvement in patients with intractable neuropathic pain (NP) after implanting a programmable continuous intrathecal infusion pump. Methods Three cases of intractable neuropathic pain with poor medicine efficacy or serious adverse drug reactions had been followed-up for 6-14 months after being implanted programmable intrathecal infusion pump. Pain relief, sleep quality improvement, dosage of oral analgesics and drug side effect were observed. Results After treatment the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) of 3 patients decreased significantly, with pain releasing from preoperative moderate or severe pain to postoperative mild pain and decrease of fulminating pain frequency. Dosage of oral analgesics declined to 10% of its preoperative dose and sleep quality was improved obviously. Neither postoperative complications nor side effect of morphine was observed during the follow-up. Conclusion The treatment of implanting a totally programmable continuous intrathecal infusion pump is eutherapeutic to the patients with intractable neuropathic pain who have achieved satisfactory analgesic effect in experimental therapy.