[Cost-benefit evaluation of spinal cord stimulation treatment for failed-back surgery syndrome patients].

Background And Purpose: Spinal cord stimulation is a well-known treatment of rigorously selected failed-back surgery syndrome patients. Efficacy levels over 50% of pain relief have been reported in long-term studies. The objective of this multicenter prospective evaluation was to analyze the cost to benefit ratio of spinal cord stimulation treatment for failed back surgery syndrome patients.

[Analgesia with an implanted device for repetitive intrathecal injections of morphine].

The use of intraspinal narcotics has been widely accepted as pain relief treatment for intractable cancer pain. Intraspinal low doses of morphine induce a potent selective long lasting analgesia. To avoid repetitive lumbar puncture, a drug delivery device was surgically implanted in 41 patients.

[Accidental overdose of intrathecal morphine. Treatment with intravenous naloxone alone].

A case of opiate accidental overdose is reported where 8 mg morphine were given by spinal injection. The rapid onset respiratory depression was treated by naloxone alone administered as a continuous infusion (6 mg), together with additional intravenous injections.