Why is this procedure done?
An intrathecal pain pump is put in the body to ease pain when other pain drugs have not worked. A pump may also be used if you have had bad side effects from other pain drugs. An intrathecal pump is a special device used to give pain drugs right into your spinal fluid through a tube. The spinal pump is placed inside your body. ‚
A pain pump is done for those who have: ‚
- Long-term chronic pain from:
- Cancer
- Nerve damage
- Nervous system problems
- Swelling of the nerves
- Swelling of the pancreas
- Muscle spasm problems like:
- Cerebral palsy
- Spinal cord injury
- Stroke
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What will the results be?
The treatment may: ‚
- Lower pain and other signs
- Control muscle spasms
- Help lower how much pain drug you need
What happens before the procedure?
- Your doctor will take your history. Talk to the doctor about:
- All the drugs you are taking. Be sure to include all prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, and herbal supplements. Tell the doctor if you have any drug allergy. Bring a list of drugs you take with you.
- Any bleeding problems. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any drugs that may cause bleeding. Some of these are Coumadin ‚ ®, ibuprofen, Aleve ‚ ® (naproxen), or aspirin. Certain vitamins and herbs, such as garlic and fish oil, may also add to the risk for bleeding. You may need to stop these drugs as well. Talk to your doctor about them.
- When you need to stop eating or drinking before your procedure.
- Your doctor may do an exam and may order lab tests, x-rays, or an EKG.
- Your doctor may do a trial test to see if the spinal pump will help ease your pain. Your doctor will give you a shot of the pain drug in your spine. In some cases, a tube is placed in your spine and attached to a pump outside your body.
What happens during the procedure?
- Once you are in the operating room, the staff will put an I.V. in your arm to give you fluids and drugs. You will be given a drug to make you sleepy. It will also help you stay pain free during the surgery.
- You will lie on your side or you will be asked to sit on an exam table.
- Your doctor will make small cuts on your back. The doctor will use an x-ray machine to guide the needle while putting in the tube. The doctor will put the tube near your spinal cord into the spinal fluid. This tube will join to the pump, which is the size of a hockey puck.
- Your doctor will make a small pocket under the skin of your belly where the pump sits. The pump has a balloon center, which stores the pain drug.
- When the pump is in place, the drug from the pump travels into your spinal fluid. The pump will be tested to check if it works. The batteries and pain drug lasts for months at a time.
- Your doctor will close your cut with stitches or staples and cover it with clean bandages.
- The procedure takes 3 to 4 hours.
What happens after the procedure?
- You will go to the Recovery Room and the staff will watch you closely. Your doctor may give you something for pain.
- Your doctor may give you a belly binder to help with pain and stop fluid buildup near the pump.
- You may stay in the hospital overnight or longer based on your condition. Your doctor will decide on how long you stay in the hospital.
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Talk to your doctor about how to care for your cut site. Ask your doctor about:
- When to change your bandages
- When you may take a bath or shower
- When you may go back to your normal activities like work, driving, or sex
- Be sure to wash your hands before and after touching your cut site or tubing.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- Your doctor will need to refill the pump and replace the batteries at some point. Ask when your doctor will need to do this.
- If you have stitches or staples, you will need to have them taken out. Your doctor will often want to do this in 1 to 2 weeks.
What problems could happen?
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Break in the tube
- Leaking of drug outside the vein, under the skin, or into the fatty tissue
- The tip of the tube comes out of place
- Air in the blood
- Blood clots
- Pump breaks down
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚