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Updated: Aug 1, 2026
07:23
Assessment of Morphine-induced Hyperalgesia and Analgesic Tolerance in Mice Using Thermal and Mechanical Nociceptive Modalities
Published on: July 29, 2014
Cancer pain relieved by long-term epidural morphine with permanent indwelling systems for self-administration
Journal of Neurosurgery
|October 1, 1981
Summary
Two patients with intractable pelvic cancer pain found significant relief using self-administered epidural morphine via implanted catheter systems. This treatment provided 8-12 hours of superior pain management per dose with minimal side effects.
Area of Science:
- Pain Management
- Neurosurgery
- Oncology
Background:
- Intractable pelvic cancer pain poses a significant challenge in palliative care.
- Current pain management strategies may have limitations in efficacy and side effect profiles.
Observation:
- Two patients with intractable pelvic cancer pain were enrolled in a clinical trial.
- Surgical implantation of two different indwelling catheter systems for spinal epidural morphine administration was performed.
- Patients were discharged home for self-administration of epidural morphine.
Findings:
- Both catheter systems enabled effective self-administration of epidural morphine.
- A dosage of 2 mg of epidural morphine provided 8 to 12 hours of superior pain relief compared to previous medications.
- Patients experienced 6 months of continuous analgesia on a twice-daily regimen.
- No significant alterations in sensory, motor, or cognitive function were observed.
- Minimal drug tolerance was reported.
Implications:
- Indwelling epidural catheter systems offer a viable option for long-term, self-administered pain management in cancer patients.
- Spinal epidural morphine can provide effective analgesia for intractable pelvic cancer pain with a favorable safety profile.
- This approach may improve quality of life for patients with refractory cancer pain.
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