INTRATHECAL BACLOFEN - A MULTICENTER CLINICAL COMPARISON OF THE MEDTRONICS PROGRAMMABLE, CORDIS SECOR AND CONSTANT INFUSION INFUSAID DRUG-DELIVERY SYSTEMS

A retrospective review was carried out of 34 consecutive traumatic spi nal cord damaged patients who have had the Medtronics Programmable, Co rdis Secor or Constant Infusion Infusaid intrathecal baclofen drug del ivery systems inserted between July 1987 and 1992. The results indicat e that whilst this treatment has many benefits there is a significant risk of complications, some potentially fatal. It should only be provi ded by a skilled and experienced team. The Medtronics Programmable pum p is an excellent pump. It is of particular benefit where the therapeu tic window is small or fine-tuning required. The Constant Infusion Inf usaid is adequate if less precise control and continuous infusion is s ufficient. It is of particular benefit in financially disadvantaged co untries. The Cordis Secor device is helpful when unpredictable intermi ttent relief of spasticity is required but is otherwise limited by its complication rate.