[Usefulness of epidural catheter with distal subcutaneous reservoir for cancer pain control in home care services].

Abstract

When an effective pain relief cannot be achieved by systemic administration of analgesics, which provide adequate pain relief for up to 70 to 90 percent of patients, alternative remedies should be offered. We reported a patient with colon cancer who was effective for pain control using an epidural catheter with subcutaneous reservoir (epidural subcutaneous catheter implantation). Four other patients with an epidural catheter with subcutaneous reservoir during 2007 to 2008 also showed significant improvement in their pain level calculating by numerical rating scale (NRS). Furthermore we were able to minimize the risk of infection for homecare. However the epidural catheter with subcutaneous reservoir should be needed not only to manage dosages of epidural morphine accurately but also to prevent the incidence of catheter obstruction by general practitioners in home care service. This solution is necessary to establish the common strict guidelines between hospital doctors and general practitioners.

• Authors: Hidetoshi Mezawa, Daisuke Inoue, Eijiro Nagasaki, Tadashi Kobayashi, Toshikazu Sakuyama, Keisuke Aba
• Journal: Gan to kagaku ryoho. Cancer & chemotherapy (Gan To Kagaku Ryoho) Vol. 35 Suppl 1 Pg. 22-4 (Dec 2008) ISSN: 0385-0684 [Print] Japan
• PMID: 20443295 (Publication Type: Case Reports, English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Morphine

Topics

• Aged
• Analgesia, Epidural (methods)
• Catheterization (methods)
• Female
• Home Care Services
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Morphine (therapeutic use)
• Neoplasms (therapy)
• Pain (drug therapy)
• Palliative Care