• S K Yue, B St Marie, and K Henrickson.
• J Pain Symptom Manage. 1991 Apr 1; 6 (3): 107-14.

AbstractThe new SKY epidural catheter was evaluated, based upon information collected about implant and use of 53 catheters by 51 patients. Catheters were used to treat chronic pain of a malignant (n = 25) and nonmalignant (n = 28) origin. Of 3450 treatment days, 89% occurred at home. Mean catheter use for malignant and nonmalignant conditions were 58.6 and 76.3 days/patient, respectively. Visual analogue pain scores in the first wk after implant indicated 79% of patients achieved good to excellent pain relief. Clinical impressions indicated this group achieved substantial long-term pain relief. No serious complications were observed. Two types of leakage required removing 5 catheters, prompting changes that eliminated subsequent leakages of both types. Accidental patient retraction and subcutaneous infection each required a catheter removal. No subarachnoid or epidural infections occurred. The SKY catheter proved to be safe and reliable. Therapy was cost-effective, since patients achieved substantial pain relief while treated at home.

22 keywords...

hide…