RESEARCH: Complications in Baclofen pump implants

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(207) a prospective study of catheter-related

complications of intrathecal drug delivery systems.

Follett KA, Naumann CP.

University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

Intrathecal drug administration via implanted pump is

an effective treatment for intractable pain and

spasticity but can be compromised by catheter-related

complications. To determine the etiology of

catheter-related complications, we have studied

prospectively the long-term performance of a one-piece

catheter system. Data pertaining to catheter-related

complications were collected at implant and at

specified times during the follow-up period. Catheter

implantation characteristics which might affect

complications were assessed. Two-hundred nine patients

were studied, with 1764 cumulative patient-months of

catheter experience. Forty-nine catheter system

complications occurred in 37 patients (7 complications

related to the catheter itself, and 42 complications

related to the implantation procedure). The nine month

complication-free " survival " rate was 78.9% overall

(95.5% for the catheter itself ). In the subset of 46

patients completing full 2-year follow-up, there were

only two late-onset catheter-related complications. No

specific catheter implantation characteristics were

associated with the occurrence of complications. These

data indicate that the incidence of complications for

a one-piece catheter system is similar to that of

commercially available two-piece systems, most

complications are related to the implant procedure,

and the incidence of long-term complications is very

low. The data highlight the need for careful surgical

technique during implantation of drug infusion

systems. (Reprinted by permission of Elsevier Science

from A Prospective Study of Catheter Related

Complications of Intrathecal Drug Delivery Systems, by

Follet KA and Naumann CP, Journal of Pain and Symptom

Management, volume 19, pages 209-215,

SOURCE: Pain Med. 2001 Sep;2(3):241.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve & db=PubMed & list_uids=1\

5102268 & dopt=Abstract