IMPLANTABLE INFUSION DEVICES FOR LONG TERM PAIN MANAGEMENT; EXAMINATION OF ITS EFFECTIVENESS AGAINST OTHER MEASURES I reviewed 36 available articles up to date in order to answer the above question. In my presentation I will start by giving background information about chronic pain. I will discuss different types of delivery systems available, their benefits to the patient, as well as disbenefits, and cost. Chronic pain reduces the quality of life in many patients and restricts their …showed first 75 words of 860 total…

…showed last 75 words of 860 total…lacking objective long-term outcome data. Proper patient selection via preselection screening programs are necessary. Further information on the relative benefits such as quality of life improvement of permanent and external infusion pumps is required. Thus, in conclusion, further studies comparing chronic systemic treatment to spinal infusion would be necessary. Of interest, the National Standing Group on Health Technology has identified intrathecal pump systems for giving opioids in chronic pain as a NHS research priority in 1995.