LONG-TERM INTRATHECAL ADMINISTRATION OF MIDAZOLAM AND CLONIDINE

Objective: To determine the clinical usefulness of the long-term intra thecal administration of midazolam and clonidine in patients with refr actory neurogenic and musculoskeletal pain. Setting: Pain Centre, Acad emic Hospital Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.Patients: Four pat ients with chronic benign neurogenic and musculoskeletal pain, not res ponding to conventional analgesic therapy. Outcome measures: Visual An alogue Score, Activities of Daily Living. Results: The intrathecal adm inistration of midazolam and clonidine produced almost immediate and n early complete pain relief. Even with continuous use, tolerance seemed to be no problem, and side effects appear to be minimal. Conclusion: Intrathecal infusion of midazolam and clonidine produced promising res ults in four patients with refractory chronic benign pain. Further res earch will be necessary to determine the efficacy and the risk-to-bene fit ratio of long-term administration of this combination.