Use of Intrathecal Morphine Infusion for Failed Back Surgery Syndrome: First Experience in Taiwan

Abstract

Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) is a well-recognized complication of spinal surgery and remains a challenge for surgeons. Intrathecal morphine therapy has been increasingly utilized in patients with malignant or non-malignant intractable pain who failed to respond to conventional treatment or could not tolerate these side effects of morphine, but has never been used for treatment of failed back surgery syndrome before in Taiwan. Consequently, this is the first study to use implanted intrathecal morphine infusion for treatment of failed back surgery syndrome in Taiwan. The clinical data of this first case were recorded and analyzed retrospectively to evaluate the efficiency and safety of implanted intrathecal morphine pump for the treatment of failed surgery syndrome. This patient demonstrated significant pain relief and functional status improvement without serious side effects. Although intrathecal morphine infusion was helpful in this first patient with failed back surgery syndrome, long-term efficacy, effectiveness, complication must be evaluated