Intrathecal Pain Pump
Spinal Pump Treatment
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A pain pump is a device that is surgically implanted beneath the skin to deliver medication directly to the spinal cord, reducing the need for oral medication and minimising side effects.
What is an intrathecal pain pump?
The intrathecal drug pump is a small, round metal device that is surgically implanted beneath the skin of the abdomen. A catheter is surgically placed into the intrathecal space of the spine and connected to the pump. The reservoir inside the pump holds the medication,which is delivered through the catheter directly into the cerebrospinal fluid CSF surrounding the spinal cord.
The intrathecal pump is more efficient, and a much smaller amount of medication is required, typically around 1/300th times of oral medication. It bypasses the path of oral medication and is directly absorbed into the central nervous system to function more efficiently
How does it work?
An intrathecal pain pump consists of a catheter inserted into the intrathecal space, an extension catheter attached to the pump implanted in the abdomen, and a refillable reservoir that holds medication.
The pump is programmed to deliver a precise(small) medication dosage directly to the intrathecal space at specific times.
A personal therapy manager (PTM) device allows the patient to give themselves an extra dose if needed, with the correct dosage amount pre-set by the doctor.
Conditions treated with Intrathecal Pain Pump
An Intrathecal pain pump is quite commonly used for spinal pump treatment in Dubai for the following conditions.
- Cerebral palsy: a nervous disorder that affects body movement control.
- Multiple sclerosis: a disorder of the brain and spinal cord caused by damage to nerve cell outer layers.
- Stroke, or brain damage: caused by a lack of oxygen due to a blood supply interruption.
- Brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
A pump can help reduce long-term pain caused by various conditions, including
- Failed back surgery syndrome: when surgery hasn't worked to control leg pain.
- Chronic pancreatitis: a chronic abdominal pain caused by pancreatic inflammation or blockage.
- Reflex sympathetic dystrophy: a progressive nervous system disease that causes a chronic burning sensation and pain.
- Causalgia: it is a peripheral nerve injury disorder that causes burning pain.
- Cancer pain: caused by tumours compressing spinal nerves or scarring from previous radiation therapy.
- Arachnoiditis: It is a painful inflammation and scarring of the protective layers of spinal nerves.
Procedure for Intrathecal pain pump placement
Before surgery, you may need to have some tests and fill out paperwork. You will be admitted to the hospital on the day of the procedure and won’t be allowed to eat or drink anything after midnight.
The implantation procedure of the Intrathecal pain pump for spinal pump treatment in Dubai would complete in the following steps.
- Patient preparation: Anaesthesia is given, the patient is positioned on their side, and the back and stomach areas are prepped.
- Catheter placement: A small incision is made in the back, and the catheter is placed in the subarachnoid space and secured with sutures.
- Extension tunnelling: An extension catheter is passed under the skin from the spine to the abdomen.
- Pump placement: A skin incision is made in the abdomen, a pocket for the pump is created, and the pump is sutured to the muscle layer.
- Incision closure: Incisions in the back and abdomen are closed with sutures or staples, and a dressing is applied.
Aftercare:
After the surgery, you will be taken to a postoperative recovery area called the PACU, where your vital signs and pain will be monitored. Most patients are discharged on the same day with written instructions to follow at home.
For the next 6 weeks, you will be instructed to avoid bending, twisting, lifting, or reaching overhead to prevent the catheter from moving out of place.
You are strictly NOT recommended to lift anything heavier than 5 pounds for the first 2 weeks.
Dr Mohamed El Toukhy is a well-renowned pain management specialist who highly recommends an Intrathecal pain pump for spinal pump treatment in Dubai to patients who
- Are dependent on pain medication
- Have gone through conservative therapies and have failed to get pain relief
- Had a positive response with a trial dose of medication
- Or has not benefitted from additional surgery
If you too suffer excruciating spinal pain, consult Dr EL Toukhy for a detailed diagnosis and pain management treatment.
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