Opioids for chronic pain: promise and pitfalls.

Purpose Of Review: The prescribing of opioid medicines is increasing progressively despite a substantial body of literature identifying potential limitations and harms of therapy. Production and dissemination of best practice guidance in relation to prescribing do not yet seem to have an impact on this trend. This article highlights updated concerns about and unanswered questions in relation to opioid treatment to provide focus for further scrutiny and evaluation of opioid treatment for pain.

Ketamine hydrochloride in the treatment of phantom limb pain.

Three cases are described in which phantom limb pain was successfully treated with ketamine hydrochloride. Possible mechanisms for this observation are suggested.