Long-term intraspinal infusions of opioids with a new implantable medication pump

Experiences with long-term intraspinal infusion of opioid drugs using the new implantable medication pump VIP 30 in patients with chronic non-malignant pain are reported. During a 19-month period 10 patients with chronic pain - mainly mixed nociceptive-neuropathic pain underwent implantation of the medication pump for long-term treatment. The mean followup period was 9.5 months. Pain relief was classified as very good in 22.2 %, good in 44.4 %, moderate in 22.2 % and poor in 11.1 %. In 88.9 % of the cases the patients stated they would undergo the same procedure again. Technical problems (catheter dislocation) developed in 1/10 patients could be surgically corrected. One pump including catheter was explanted because of an infected seroma within the pocket area. Long-term intrathecal application of opioids with the VIP 30 pumps is an effective and safe treatment in patients with chronic non-malignant pain.