Abstract | BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: METHODS: An 18-g nylon i.t. catheter was inserted via a lumbar interspace with its tip positioned at the level of the fractured vertebra from which the maximal pain originated. Bupivacaine (2.375-5.0 mg/mL) with (n = 1) or without (n = 2) buprenorphine (0.015 mg/mL) was infused through the i.t. catheter from an external electronic pump. The infusion began in the operating room at a basic rate of 0.1-0.2 mL/h, with optional bolus doses (0.1 mL, 1-4 times/h) via patient controlled analgesia. The daily dose of i.t. bupivacaine was adjusted to provide satisfactory pain relief [visual analogue scores (VAS) = 0-2 on a scale of 0-10]. RESULTS: Satisfactory pain relief was obtained with daily doses of i.t. bupivacaine ranging from 10 to 70 (mean approximately 25) mg and buprenorphine from 0.02 to 0.2 (mean = 0.15) mg. The duration of i.t. treatment was 37, 387, and 407 days, respectively. Two patients terminated the i.t. treatment when it was no longer needed. Treatment was discontinued in the third patient because of death caused by irreversible heart failure. The 2 surviving patients were still free of pain 1,074 and 1,476 days after termination of the i.t. treatment. No severe complications occurred. CONCLUSIONS:
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Authors | P O Dahm, P V Nitescu, L K Appelgren, I D Curelaru |
Journal | Regional anesthesia and pain medicine
(Reg Anesth Pain Med)
1999 Jul-Aug
Vol. 24
Issue 4
Pg. 352-7
ISSN: 1098-7339 [Print] England |
PMID | 10445776
(Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Analgesics, Opioid
- Anesthetics, Local
- Buprenorphine
- Bupivacaine
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Topics |
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Analgesia, Patient-Controlled
- Analgesics, Opioid
(administration & dosage)
- Anesthetics, Local
(administration & dosage)
- Bupivacaine
(administration & dosage)
- Buprenorphine
(administration & dosage)
- Female
- Fractures, Spontaneous
(complications, etiology)
- Humans
- Injections, Spinal
- Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal
(complications)
- Pain, Intractable
(drug therapy, etiology)
- Spinal Fractures
(complications, etiology)
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