445 Evaluation of Low Dose Intrathecal Morphine Delivery in the Treatment of Chronic Pain

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The use of low-dose intrathecal morphine via a morphine drug delivery system is an alternative to oral analgesics in the treatment of chronic pain. METHODS: This was a retrospective chart-review. Patients were enrolled from June 2016 to April 2019. An out-patient intrathecal morphine trial was performed by injecting a single dose of 0.1-0.2 mg of preservative-free morphine in the lumbar intrathecal space. Following at least 60% reduction in pain, patients were weaned off oral analgesics completely over several weeks, and a permanent intrathecal catheter and morphine pump was implanted. Follow-up data was included at 3 and 6 months and 1 and 3 years. RESULTS: 20 patients were enrolled (median age 59, 60% female). 10 patients were diagnosed with CPS and 10 were diagnosed with PLS. Pain was significantly controlled and reduced at each time point post-implantation compared to baseline. (p < 0.05). Intrathecal dosing did increase over the 3-year period on average, but the increase in dose was moderate. (p < 0.01) (median increase: 0.09 mg/day over 3 years).All patients were on oral medication for their pain prior to implantation as summarized: Remarkably, no patients previously taking oral opiates/analgesics restarted oral opiate/analgesic therapy following implantation up to and including the 3 years follow-up. There were no infections or complications present in the study. CONCLUSIONS: Low dose intrathecal drug delivery was shown to significantly reduce pain following treatment at each follow-up time point. This study further characterizes the efficacy of the use of low-dose intrathecal drug delivery in the treatment of chronic pain. A future multi-center study is desired.