Ziconotide: A rapid detoxification protocol for the conversion from intrathecal morphine--the Raffaeli Detoxification Model.

Objectives: To assess the efficacy and the safety of our rapid detoxificationprotocol in preventing signs and symptoms of withdrawal and pain severity.

Design: Prospective, open-label case series study.

Settings: Public primary care at the Pain and Palliative Care Unit of the Infermi Hospital of Rimini, Italy.

Implantable intrathecal pumps for the treatment of noncancer chronic pain in elderly population: drug dose and clinical efficacy.

Objective.   This study aims to assess long-term follow-up of efficacy and quality of life for 34 geriatric patients (10 men, 24 women, mean age 72.3 ± 11.

Nociceptin levels in the cerebrospinal fluid of chronic pain patients with or without intrathecal administration of morphine.

The neuropeptide nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) is the endogenous ligand for the opioid-like receptor ORL-1 and is thought to be involved in pain transmission and modulation. Human studies have not yet defined its role in pain patients. The aims of this study were 1) to verify the presence of N/OFQ in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of human controls and patients with chronic noncancer pain, including those treated with intrathecally administered morphine, and 2) to determine whether pain or treatment with long-term intrathecal morphine influences its levels.