Continuous Narcotic Infusion with Patient-Controlled Analgesia for Chronic Cancer Pain in Outpatients

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Study Objective: To determine the feasibility and safety of outpatient continuous narcotic infusions with additional bolus capabilities (patient-controlled analgesia) in patients with cancer pain. Design: A sign arm (non-randomized) series. Setting : Outpatient with contact by telephone and through outpatient clinic. Patients: Consecutive series of 18 patients with poorly controlled cancer pain or significant side effects from regular administration of various narcotics. Interventions: Patients taught and supervised to use portable pump capable of delivering a continuous narcotic infusion with bolus capabilities. Measurements and Main Results: All patients had improvement in pain control as judged by the use of a linear analogue scale. Side effects and safety profile were highly acceptable. Narcotics used and maximum doses were meperidine, 50 mg/h; morphine, 80 mg/hr: and hydromorphone, 60 mg/hr. Infusion duration ranged from 7 to 225 days (mean, 54 days). Conclusions: Continuous narcotic infusions using a programmable portable pump with bolus capabilities is a safe and reliable method of delivering narcotics to outpatients.