1995 Volume 2 Issue 1 Pages 24-27
Four patients with intractable cancer pain were treated with continuous intrathecal administration of lidocaine and morphine (continuous subarachnoid analgesia: CSA) using an implanted drug delivery system (Hickman subcutaneous port). Excellent pain relief was obtained in all patients. These patients became able to walk and increased their daily activities immediately after the commencement of the therapy. The consciousness of the patients was kept clear.
Temporary gait impairment was observed in one patient. Small amount of cerebrospinal fluid leakage, decubitus on port site and infection at the access port were observed in another patient. These complications treated properly did not impair the CSA treatment. Seizures, cerebrospinal clonus, respiratory depression and neurologic deficits were not observed in any patients.
This technique is effective and recommended as one of the treatments for the intractable cancer pain.
