In this article you can find the answers for What is the Intrathecal Baclofen Pump Therapy (ITB)? How is Intrathecal Baclofen Pump Therapy surgery performed?
What is Intrathecal Baclofen Pump Therapy?
Intrathecal Baclofen Therapy (ITB) is a treatment method using a Intrathecal drug (baclofen) that is delivered into the cerebrospinal fluid around the spinal cord (intrathecal) to resolve the severe spasticity. The drug is placed into a adjustable pump that is surgically placed under the skin of the abdomen, the adjustable pump delivers baclofen to the Intrathecal area through a small tube (catheter) into the cerebrospinal fluid. Since the pump is adjustable, we can program the pump to deliver the appropriate daily dose for the patient.
Before the surgery there is a test opportunity, we do a test dose to see how the patient’s respond to the drug when it is delivered in same way. After the test dose is done, if the result is satisfactory we decide to implant the pump.
How is Intrathecal Baclofen Pump Therapy surgery performed?
Placing the Intrathecal Baclofen Pump is not a difficult procedure. The surgery is mostly done under general anesthesia. Firstly, the catheter must be implanted to the spinal cord from lumbar area. After the C-arm verification the other end of the catheter must be tunneled under the skin and connected to the pump which implanted under the skin over abdominal area.
The best advantages such these operations are reversibility, adjustability and testability (all Neuromodulation approaches like Intrathecal Baclofen Pump, Spinal Cord Stimulation, Deep Brain Stimulation, Sacral Stimulation, and Vagal Stimulation and are reversible interventions, therefore they never result with permanent damage)
The pump which implanted under the skin over abdominal area needs to be refilled at regular intervals (usually every 4 to 9 months it’s depends to the dosage). The pump can refill by inserting a needle through the skin into a refill port on the pump. The dosage of the drug can be adjusted at any time by remote control.
Who’s Candidate to Intrathecal Baclofen Pump Surgery?
Which important factors are important to decide to do Intrathecal Baclofen Pump Surgery?
What are the risks for Intrathecal Baclofen Pump Surgery?
What are the contraindications of the Intrathecal Baclofen Pump Surgery?
Please find the answer of such questions on link “Intrathecal Baclofen Pump Therapy” under the “Surgeries” section or please click here.