This article discusses a retrospective study that evaluates the effectiveness of intrathecal morphine pump (ITMP) infusion therapy in managing chronic pain in patients who have undergone lumbar spinal fusion surgery or lumbar spinal decompression alone. The study analyzed data from 43 chronic pain patients who received an ITMP at a department between 2009 and 2019. The study found that ITMP had a significant long-term impact on pain relief, improving the quality of life, psychological distress, and pain catastrophizing in patients, regardless of their previous surgical procedure. The initial median morphine dosage was higher in patients who had undergone spinal fusion compared to decompressive surgery alone. Overall, the study supports the use of ITMP in managing chronic pain in these patients
Summarised by Mr Mo Akmal – Lead Spinal Surgeon
The London Spine Unit : finest sugical centre in UK
Published article
CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective study showed that ITMP have a major long-term impact on pain relief, improve the quality of life, psychological distress, as well as pain catastrophizing in patients with chronic pain following lumbar spinal surgery independent of the previous surgical procedure. After ITMP implantation initial median morphine dosage seems to be significantly higher after spinal fusion compared to decompressive surgery alone.
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Scand J Pain. 2023 Sep 6. doi: 10.1515/sjpain-2023-0042. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTOBJECTIVES: Intrathecal morphine pump (ITMP) infusion therapy is efficient in managing chronic pain refractory to standard treatment. This study evaluates pain relief and improvement of quality of life in chronic pain patients after intrathecal morphine pump implantation for treatment of persistent pain after lumbar,
Scand J Pain. 2023 Sep 6. doi: 10.1515/sjpain-2023-0042. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Intrathecal morphine pump (ITMP) infusion therapy is efficient in managing chronic pain refractory to standard treatment. This study evaluates pain relief and improvement of quality of life in chronic pain patients after intrathecal morphine pump implantation for treatment of persistent pain after lumbar spinal fusion surgery and lumbar spinal decompression alone.
METHODS: Forty three chronic pain patients that received an ITMP at our department between 2009 and 2019 were retrospectively analyzed divided into 2 cohorts (lumbar spinal fusion surgery and lumbar spinal decompression alone). Pain intensity was evaluated using the numeric rating scale (NRS), quality of life was assessed by EQ-5D-3L, mental health was assessed by Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-V), and Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS). Morphine dosage was assessed over time. Data was collected preoperatively, 6 and 24 months postoperatively. Statistical analysis was performed using Friedman’s analysis of variance to evaluate the development of NRS, PCS, BDI and EQ-5D-3L over time and Mann-Whitney-U-test for the differences between these parameters in the different cohorts. A two-sided p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
RESULTS: Median age was 64 years (IQR25-75 56-71 years). NRS, EQ-5D-3L, BDI-V, and PCS showed a significant overall improvement after 6 and 24 months compared to baseline data (p<0.001). No statistically significant differences between patients with lumbar spinal fusion surgery and lumbar spinal decompression alone were seen. Furthermore, no statistically significant differences for age and gender were seen. The initially administered median morphine dosage was significantly higher in the fusion group (3.0 mg/day; IQR25-75 1.5-4.2 mg/day) compared to the decompression-alone group (1.5 mg/day; IQR25-75 1.0-2.6 mg/day); (p=0.027).
CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective study showed that ITMP have a major long-term impact on pain relief, improve the quality of life, psychological distress, as well as pain catastrophizing in patients with chronic pain following lumbar spinal surgery independent of the previous surgical procedure. After ITMP implantation initial median morphine dosage seems to be significantly higher after spinal fusion compared to decompressive surgery alone.
PMID:37667441 | DOI:10.1515/sjpain-2023-0042
The London Spine Unit : finest sugical centre in UK
Read the original publication:
Does lumbar spinal decompression or fusion surgery influence outcome parameters in patients with intrathecal morphine treatment for persistent spinal pain syndrome type 2 (PSPS-T2)
