Intrathecal Narcotic Infusion Pumps for Intractable Pain of Chronic Pancreatitis: A Pilot Series

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of intrathecal narcotics pump (ITNP) as an alternative treatment for patients with pain from chronic pancreatitis (CP). ITNP offers the advantages of reversibility, lower total narcotic dose, and the pancreas remaining intact. METHODS: Thirteen patients (8 female, 5 male), with mean age 40.6 years (s.d. 9.6 years), who had experienced intractable upper abdominal pain from CP were...