CONTINUOUS INTRATHECAL MEPERIDINE VIA AN IMPLANTABLE INFUSION-PUMP FOR CHRONIC, NONMALIGNANT PAIN

OBJECTIVE: To report a continuous infusion of intrathecal meperidine v ia an implanted infusion pump for nonmalignant, chronic pain. CASE SUM MARY: A 69-year-old white woman had chronic, nonmalignant low-back pai n and bilateral leg pain. Multiple drug therapies and other interventi onal techniques had failed. The patient achieved significant, pain rel ief by a continuous infusion of intrathecal meperidine via an implante d infusion pump. DISCUSSION: To our knowledge, this is the first repor t of meperidine administered intrathecally by continuous infusion. Con tinuous infusion of intrathecal and epidural opiates by implanted infu sion pumps is becoming more widely recognized as an alternative treatm ent for patients with chronic, benign pain. Epidural and intrathecal m eperidine is an effective analgesic for short-term surgical procedures . Data reporting effective relief and safety with continuous intrathec al meperidine remain limited. CONCLUSIONS: Continuous intrathecal mepe ridine via an implantable infusion pump may be an effective alternativ e in the treatment of chronic pain.