Continuous Lidocaine Infusion Is Effective for the Management of Refractory Cancer Pain in a Patient with Terminal Phase: Case Report

Abstract

Introduction: Lidocaine has an analgesic effect by inhibitory action for peripheral nervous system. It is effective for the refractory pain of neuropathic, even a high amount of opioid injection may not relieve pain, resulting in neuropathic cancer pain or adverse effects of morphine. Case Report: A 51-year-old woman had esophageal cancer with severe refractory pain of neuropathic. The pain was not relieved by increasing the dose of opioid because of adverse effects and morphine intolerance. Continuous lidocaine infusion decreased the frequency and the extent of pain and the dose of opioid. The patient didn’t show any symptoms of an adverse effect by this lidocaine treatment. Conclusion: This treatment may be useful for refractory pain of neuropathic in a patient having morphine intolerance with terminal phase.