Implantable infusion devices (IIPs) for long-term pain management

Robert G
Record ID 31998008873
English
Authors' objectives:

Although there is no controlled research data available on the technology of IIPs, the author aims to assess how effective a means of pain relief they are, compared with external infusion pumps.

Authors' results and conclusions: Approximately 30-50% of patients report 'excellent' pain relief. There are significant risks and complications with these devices. Studies to date have been of small numbers of patients and lack objective long-term outcome data.
Authors' recommendations: The author comments that although case series would suggest that IIPs are effective in highly selective cases, there was only a modest amount of information available and a lack of comparative trials to assess its effectiveness against other measures. Further information on the relative benefits (quality of life improvements) of IIPs and external infusion pumps is required. The author states that implantable pumps may be worth considering in someone with a long life span ahead of them, but for someone with only a very brief life span it is much more cost-effective to use a simpler epidural catheters.
Authors' methods: Review
Details
Project Status: Completed
URL for project: http://www.wihrd.soton.ac.uk
Year Published: 1996
English language abstract: An English language summary is available
Publication Type: Not Assigned
Country: England
MeSH Terms
  • Catheterization
  • Catheters, Indwelling
  • Costs and Cost Analysis
  • Drug Implants
  • Infusion Pumps, Implantable
  • Pain
Contact
Organisation Name: Wessex Institute for Health Research and Development
Contact Address: Pauline King. Wessex Institute for Health Research and Development, Boldrewood Medical School, Bassett Crescent East, Highfield, Southampton. SO16 7PX Tel. +44 1703 595661 Fax +44 1703 595662
Copyright: Wessex Institute for Health Research and Development (WIHRD)
This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA or other HTA producer. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.