Article Text
Abstract
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Background and Aims Implantable intrathecal pain pump is a well established chronic pain management method that has been used successfully for the treatment of benign chronic intractable pain of various etiologies. The regulation of the pumps requires repeating monitoring and refill at specific intervals and occasionally reevaluation and modification of the daily dose that the pump administers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic to the treatment of these patients.
Methods A retrospective analysis of the data collected from the outpatient departments concerning management and regulation of patients with implanted intrathecal pump for benign pain management. The data of 35 patients were collected regarding the scheduled refills, ability to access medical services, availability of intrathecal drugs and requests to alter dosage with or without COVID infection.
Results There was no significant alteration to the routine of these patients regarding the scheduled refills and availability of drugs, except one specific type, although these actions were performed under the regulation of each hospital in special designated areas and with full precaution. As far as the effect of infection itself, although many patients experienced some musculoskeletal deterioration, almost all were treated with brief oral pain medication and none received or requested an increase in intrathecal drugs.
Conclusions From our analysis it seems that the patients with implanted intrathecal pain pumps with having the main drug an opioid were not affected in terms of medical services and pump performance from the Covid-19 pandemic.