Subcutaneously implanted injection system for epidural administration.

Six patients with advanced disseminated cancer were treated by operatively implanting a subcutaneous injection system for epidural opiate injection. The system consisted of an access port connected to an epidural catheter. The median period of treatment during hospitalization was 16 days (9-64). Two discharged patients were treated for 9 and 150 days, respectively. The median number of injections was 92 (48-542). Patient compliance was good in all cases. There was no case of displacement, kinking or occlusion of the catheters. All patients experienced sufficient pain relief, although four, before epidural opiate treatment, had their pain triggered by activity.