Intrathecal Pump Placement
Intrathecal pumps deliver medication directly into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) surrounding the spinal cord. These devices are connected to fine tubes placed into the CSF. This form of neuromodulation allows for delivery of opioids in chronic pain conditions including cancer pain.
The pumps can also be used to administer medication for spasticity that is resistant to oral therapy or where very high doses of oral therapy result in unacceptable side effects. An example of this type of drug is baclofen. Diseases commonly managed in this manner include Multiple Sclerosis.
This form of therapy requires a test phase to check drug efficacy before an implantation phase is undertaken. These procedures are always in-hospital procedures and are performed in an operating room environment under general anaesthesia. During such a procedure the catheter tube and pump device are implanted into the body. This form of therapy is only applicable for long-term symptom management.