New guidelines coming for intrathecal analgesia.

INTRATHECAL injections; ANALGESIA; ANALGESICS; THERAPEUTICS; PAIN management; CHRONIC pain treatment; OPIOIDS; MORPHINE; CLONIDINE; FENTANYL; ALGORITHMS

The article explains that guidelines for the intraspinal infusion treatment of severe chronic pain will be published by the Polyanalgesis Consensus Panel in a 2007 issue of the "Neuromodulation" periodical. The therapeutic algorithm includes ziconotide as an alternative to hydromorphone and opioids morphine. Fentanyl, hydromorphone, morphine, and ziconotide could be used as second-line treatment options if in combination with bipuvacaine and clonidine, according to Napa, California-based Spectrum Care Pain Treatment Center.