Intrathecal Medication Delivery Devices: A Breakthrough in Chronic Pain and Cancer Pain Management

Over the last three decades, the development of intrathecal medication delivery devices has been celebrated as one of the most remarkable advancements in pain management, particularly for patients with chronic pain and cancer-related pain.

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When analgesics are administered directly into the intrathecal area, smaller doses can achieve enhanced analgesia. This targeted delivery system opens up new possibilities for patients who struggle with traditional opioid medications, providing them with pain relief and improved quality of life through intrathecal analgesia.

Patients have two options for an intrathecal system: either an implanted entire system or an intrathecal percutaneous catheter attached to an external pump. The decision is influenced by various factors, including the patient’s comfort level, life expectancy, cost, and the availability of medical expertise. Both types of pumps can be periodically refilled using a sanitary method.

Baclofen: A Versatile Muscle Relaxant

Baclofen, commonly used orally to treat cerebral palsy in adults and spasticity in children, can also be delivered through an intrathecal pump. This hockey puck-sized implant, placed in the patient’s abdomen, continuously releases medication into the spinal fluid.

For individuals with cerebral palsy and other motor abnormalities, baclofen (marketed as Lioresal) can effectively calm spastic muscles. The drug can be administered intravenously (in pill form), transdermally (via a topical cream), or directly into the spinal fluid (intrathecal baclofen). The latter two methods are the most commonly employed.

Baclofen Pump Surgery: Targeting Spasticity

The implantation of a baclofen pump is a surgical procedure designed to treat moderate to severe spasticity that does not respond to oral treatment. This pump delivers baclofen directly to the intrathecal area in the spinal cord.

By continuously providing small doses of baclofen to the spinal cord, this method enhances therapeutic benefits while minimizing adverse effects compared to oral medications.

Objective of the Surgery

The primary objective of the baclofen pump surgery is to reduce spasticity and stiffness caused by neurological conditions such as cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, and spinal cord injuries. The pump utilizes less than one-tenth of the oral baclofen dosage.

Surgical Assessment

Before proceeding with the baclofen pump implantation, a comprehensive discussion and physical examination take place, followed by a test injection. During this injection, a small amount of baclofen is introduced into the spinal fluid through a spinal tap, and the medication’s effects are evaluated a few hours later. While the impacts are temporary, they provide invaluable information to guide the decision-making process.

Intrathecal Baclofen Pump Surgery Cost in India

For patients considering intrathecal baclofen pump surgery in India, the cost of the procedure ranges from USD 16,000 to USD 17,000.

The development of intrathecal medication delivery devices and the use of baclofen pumps present new hope for patients with chronic pain and cancer pain. These advancements offer targeted pain relief, improved quality of life, and a promising alternative for those who cannot tolerate traditional opioid medications. As medical technology continues to evolve, these innovations are likely to further revolutionize pain management for the better.

Surgery vs. Other Options: The Advantages of Baclofen Pump Implantation

When it comes to treating spasticity symptoms, surgery with a baclofen pump implantation often proves to be a more effective option than other treatments. This procedure involves delivering medication continuously, day and night, directly to the spinal cord, offering consistent and reliable relief from spasticity symptoms. Especially when high doses of baclofen are required to manage severe spasticity, the implantation of a pump tends to have fewer side effects compared to oral administration.

One of the remarkable benefits of the baclofen pump implantation process is its flexibility, allowing for various doses of baclofen to be delivered at different times of the day. This level of precision ensures a more accurate and personalized dosage for the patient’s needs. Moreover, unlike many other surgical treatments, the baclofen pump is reversible, meaning it can be turned off or discontinued whenever necessary.

Ideal Conditions for Intrathecal Baclofen Surgery:

Chronic pain following back or neck operations that haven’t relieved chronic low back pain, leg pain (sciatica or lumbar radiculopathy), or arm discomfort (cervical radiculopathy).

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy, a neurological condition causing persistent, throbbing pain that worsens over time.
Severe pain resulting from damage to a peripheral nerve.

Arachnoiditis, a painful inflammation and scarring of the protective layers surrounding the spinal nerves.

Chronic pancreatitis, characterized by persistent stomach discomfort due to inflammation or obstruction of the pancreatic duct.

Cerebral palsy, a neural system condition that affects body movement control.

Multiple sclerosis, a condition affecting the brain and spinal cord due to damage to the myelin sheath surrounding nerve cells.

Stroke, resulting from brain damage due to lack of oxygen supply.

Post-traumatic spasticity, brain injury, or spinal cord injury.

The Procedure:

The baclofen pump implantation procedure involves a pre-operative test where baclofen is injected into the spinal canal’s thecal sac using a tiny Lumbar Puncture needle. The patient is then monitored by a functional neurosurgery team to assess how effectively the medication reduces stiffness and rigidity.

If the pre-operative test shows promising results, a permanent pump is implanted in the patient. During this process, a small pouch is created and used to introduce the pump chamber into the anterior abdominal wall. A needle punctures the spinal fluid gap, and a thin catheter is advanced with the aid of an X-ray until it reaches the appropriate spinal cord level. The catheter is then connected to the pump chamber and tunneled beneath the skin to the anterior abdominal wall.

The pump is filled with baclofen and programmed by a computer to deliver a precise amount as determined by the neurosurgeon. Once the wound is sealed using sutures or surgical staples, the baclofen pump implantation procedure is complete, typically taking 1-2 hours.

Recovery:

After the baclofen pump implantation procedure, patients usually stay in the hospital for three days. The ability to resume normal activities depends on the patient’s age and preoperative health. Once vital signs stabilize and baseline functionality is reached, patients can return home.

Regular refills are needed every few months, depending on the pump’s size, concentration, and dosage. The dosage of baclofen may be adjusted based on observed effects during these refills. The neurosurgeon gradually increases the baclofen dosage during follow-up visits until a well-tolerated dose is established over a month.

Success Rate:

The success rate of baclofen pump implantation is quite high for patients who respond well to the preoperative intrathecal. The daily dosage required for baclofen is around 500 mcg as opposed to the oral dose of 20 to 40 mg.

Benefits of Baclofen Pump Implants

Reduced reliance on oral medications: Baclofen pump implants lessen the need for oral medications, providing a more direct and targeted approach to managing symptoms.

Minimized side effects: By delivering medication directly to the spinal cord, the pump helps minimize the side effects associated with oral medications, leading to better tolerability.

Efficacy evaluation with a short trial period: Before committing to long-term therapy, a four to seven-day trial is conducted to assess the effectiveness of the treatment for individual patients.

Non-hospitalization procedure: Unlike many other treatments, the implantation procedure does not require hospitalization, resulting in a more convenient and outpatient-based experience.

Reversibility: The procedure is reversible, allowing the implant to be removed whenever necessary, and providing flexibility in treatment options.

Non-surgical incision: The implantation procedure does not involve a surgical incision, leading to reduced scarring and faster recovery.

Uninterrupted exercise: Patients do not need to take a long break from exercising, as the pump implant does not hinder physical activities.

Minimal side effects: With careful management and monitoring, there are no significant side effects associated with Baclofen pump implants.

Cost of Intrathecal Pain Pump, Catheter, and Surgery

Initial phase expense: Intrathecal pain medication therapy can be costly during the initial phase of treatment.

Types of pumps: There are two types of intrathecal pain pumps – programmable and non-programmable. Programmable pumps are relatively more expensive than non-programmable ones.

Inclusive kit and catheter: The overall cost includes the pump kit and intrathecal catheter, which are necessary for the implantation procedure.

Individual variation in cost: The total cost of the Baclofen pump implantation procedure in India may vary based on the patient’s condition and severity.

The risk factor

Device-related complications: Infection near the device and device failure are risks unique to Intrathecal Baclofen Pump Surgery.

Baclofen withdrawal and overdose: Baclofen pump surgery may lead to baclofen withdrawal or overdose, but prompt identification and treatment can usually prevent serious consequences.

Exacerbation of weakness: The surgery’s potency may lead to an exacerbation of weakness, even in the absence of other issues.

The pump operates by gradually releasing the drug over time, allowing for different dosages to be administered at various intervals throughout the day, based on the patient’s changing needs.

The pump also maintains a record of the prescription in its memory, which can be easily reviewed by doctors and programmers.

For refilling the pump reservoir when empty, a needle is inserted through the skin into the fill port by a healthcare professional.

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Top 10 Intrathecal Baclofen Pump Surgery Hospitals in India

Indraprastha Apollo Hospital: Premier Medical Excellence in Delhi

Indraprastha Apollo Hospital stands as one of India’s most esteemed healthcare institutions. Within this hospital, the gastroenterology unit is highly regarded for its state-of-the-art medical excellence in treating various gastrointestinal, liver, biliary tract, gallbladder, colon, pancreas, and small intestine disorders. Patients with GI issues receive top-notch services from highly qualified and expert gastroenterologists, GI specialists, and well-trained staff.

The Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology operates as a super-specialty unit, providing comprehensive management for diseases related to the human gastrointestinal system and its associated organs, including the esophagus, stomach, pancreas, liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, small intestine, colon, rectum, and anus.

The dedicated and compassionate Surgical Gastroenterologists ensure optimal health outcomes through a wide range of services. Whether it’s offering simple yet life-changing advice or performing advanced surgical procedures, they have the solutions. The department’s highly qualified and experienced Surgical Gastroenterologists conduct various surgeries, including oesophagogastric, hepatobiliary, pancreatic, intestinal, colorectal, GI cancer, and bariatric procedures.

Apollo Hospital Chennai: Providing Cutting-edge Gastrointestinal Care

The Institutes of Medical and Surgical Gastroenterology at Apollo Hospital, Chennai, aim to diagnose, prevent, and treat disorders of the gastrointestinal system, liver, and pancreaticobiliary system in both children and adults. The department offers superior care with modern state-of-the-art facilities.

Their Gastrointestinal Surgeons utilize minimally invasive surgery to treat major gastrointestinal issues of the intestines, pancreas, and hepatobiliary tract, including cancers, garnering recognition both in India and abroad. Additionally, the hospital’s internationally renowned transplant care program excels in adult and pediatric Liver Transplants and advanced Hepatobiliary procedures.

BLK Super Specialty Hospital, Chennai: Excellence in Gastrointestinal Care

BLK Super Speciality Hospital is one of India’s most recognized medical centers, housing the exceptional Gastro Intestinal Surgical Team (GIST) known for providing consistent medical excellence. Using modern technologies and advanced laparoscopic and traditional gastroenterology techniques, the hospital treats patients with gastric issues. The Department of Surgical Gastroenterology, Advanced Laparoscopic (MAS), and Bariatric Surgery, part of the Institute for Digestive and Liver Diseases, aims to provide compassionate holistic care at an affordable cost.

The team of highly skilled and trained experts, having experience at some of the best global institutions, ensures successful outcomes. BLK Super Speciality Hospital prides itself on being at the forefront of centers offering advanced laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding in northern India. The department’s expertise in Bariatric Surgery includes more than 600 sleeve gastrectomies and over 100 gastric bypass surgeries, making it one of the most active and preferred Bariatric Surgery Centers ago.

Nanavati Hospital, Mumbai

Nanavati Super Speciality Hospital is among the most established medical clinics in India offering quality tertiary consideration to patients from various financial foundations. The Center for Digestive and Hepatobiliary Sciences is among the top reference places for the determination and treatment of issues related with the stomach-related framework.

Nanavati Hospital brags of profoundly experienced clinical and careful experts from India; each a specialist in getting infirmities the best of their capacities. To offer the most elevated level of customized consultative and longitudinal stomach-related medical services to take care of the interesting clinical necessities of every patient. They give devoted long-term and short-term care to patients experiencing GI sicknesses.

Their specialists perform progressed analytic tests and screenings using state-of-the-art symptomatic innovations, clinical treatments, and progressed endoscopy methods. They want to offer their patients the most recent in master patient-driven, protected, productive, and precise consideration utilizing state-of-the-art treatment draws near.

Their PCPs are accessible 24X7 for giving crisis care to help one keep up with and work on their personal satisfaction. The Center for Gastrointestinal (GI) Diseases additionally offers a Bariatric Surgery Program for weight reduction the executives and successfully treating extreme corpulence. They are focused on treating every patient under their consideration with sympathy, care, and clinical greatness. Their PCPs likewise give the most thorough after-medical procedure care to oversee ongoing circumstances, with ideal outcomes.

Max Super Specialty Hospital, Delhi

Max Super Speciality Hospital in Saket has left an imprint for itself in each clinical discipline. Similarly, the gastroenterology office at this emergency clinic has experts prepared to deal with any complicated case connected with the field. With the assistance of cutting-edge clinical guides and master experts, this medical clinic has become one of the top clinical offices for gastroenterology in Delhi/NCR locale. Patients from different pieces of India also lean toward this emergency clinic for treatment.

A gastroenterology treatment ordinarily begins in a gastroenterologist’s facility or an emergency clinic. It regularly starts with a center staff recording the patient’s pulse level, pulse, and weight. They additionally take a record of the patient’s drugs, sensitivities and clinical history. During the interview, the specialist might perform lab tests, X-Rays, motility tests and endoscopic techniques and mediations.

The entire visit regularly requires around 30 minutes to 60 minutes, or longer on the off chance that the gastroenterologist performs endoscopic techniques at the same time. Endoscopic treatment enjoys different benefits including the least blood misfortune, less torment, no tissue or muscle injury, and generally safe of disease.

Over the most recent couple of many years, the benefits of endoscopic treatment and methodology in the area of gastroenterology have increased essentially. The advances utilized for gastroenterology treatment have likewise improved similarly, in this way diminishing the gamble of difficulties.

In that capacity, these issues are and can without much of a stretch be dealt with or forestalled by the techniques proposed by a gastroenterologist. In choosing whether to utilize endoscopic techniques during a gastroenterology meeting, a gastroenterologist ordinarily weighs whether the potential advantages of the methods offset their dangers.

Asian Institute of Gastroenterology, Hyderabad

Asian Institute of Gastroenterology was laid out as another idea of day care unit where major Endoscopic surgeries should be possible on a short term premise without turning to hospitalization. From that point forward the establishment has become one of the biggest reference habitats in Asia for Therapeutic Endoscopy. Patients are alluded from most urban areas in India as well as from encompassing nations like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Nepal and so on. It has the credit of doing the biggest number of ERCP methods on the planet.

Notwithstanding standard gastrointestinal techniques like Endoscopy, Colonoscopy, ERCP (Diagnostic and Therapeutic). Their organization is one of only a handful of exceptional focuses in the nation doing Endoscopic Ultra Sonography, Endoscopic Sewing, Capsule Endoscopy and E S W L (Extra human Shock Wave Lithotripsy ). The Asian Institute of Gastroenterology in Hyderabad upset how Gastroenterology was treated in India. The emergency clinic began a unit for day care wherein patients were given medicines without need of hospitalization.

Patients from all over India alongside adjoining nations are alluded to this medical clinic, subsequently making it a universally acclaimed medical services supplier for Gastroenterology patients. Clinical gastroenterology which incorporates endoscopy administrations possesses the pride of spot at the Asian Institute of Gastroenterology. Staffed by eight senior experts and eight recorders and headed by Dr DN Reddy, it offers phenomenal nonstop administrations for patients.

Manipal Hospital, Bangalore

Gastroenterology centers around the whole stomach-related framework which incorporates the throat, stomach, digestion tracts, colon, pancreas, nerve bladder, bile conduits as well as the liver and rear-end. The problems distressing this multitude of organs through and through are broad to such an extent that they requires far-reaching analysis and treatment.

Master gastroenterologists at Manipal Hospitals’ Center of Excellence in Gastroenterology are in their prime in this space. Manipal Hospital is a third biggest clinical establishment in India serving the medical care industry for over fifty years.

Over the years, this foundation has extended its gastrointestinal science division by adjusting current and progressed mechanical methodologies for well-being and government assistance of patients. Consequently, this foundation is additionally perceived as one of the most amazing gastroenterology emergency clinics the nation over.

Since this division conclusions and treats the tremendous array of stomach related messes, they are glad to have extraordinary gastroenterologists, endoscopy subject matter experts, and negligible obtrusive specialists to watch out for the most fascinating of cases. So whether it is colitis, gastritis, bile reflux or even cirrhosis, intense liver disappointment, esophageal disease, etc, their specialists are empowered by their cutting edge analytic and careful innovation to endorse the best therapy conventions.

Manipal Hospitals’ gastroenterologists are profoundly different, and their outstanding scope of aptitude permits patients to be important for creative medical procedures and practices that are, now and again, not accessible elsewhere in India, similar to most recent in endoscopic techniques that look at and treat issues of the gastrointestinal system, with limited sway on encompassing tissues.

Giving unrivaled consideration to a wide range of intestinal system and liver issues with a multi-disciplinary methodology, Manipal Hospitals’ division of gastrointestinal sciences extent of training reaches out to mechanical medical procedure, negligibly intrusive endoscopy, esophagogastroduodenoscopy, colonoscopy, little entrail enteroscopy, and endoscopic ultrasonography and pediatric gastroenterology.

Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore

Aster CMI is a quickly developing chain of medical services offices offering clinical consideration in various circles of medication. The Department of Gastroenterology at this emergency clinic is a perceived Center of Excellence which comprises of a group of specialists giving extraordinary treatment answers for patients experiencing infections of the stomach-related framework.

The Center of Excellence (CoE) in Gastroenterology at Aster CMI emergency clinic gives an all-encompassing point of view to Gastroenterology, keeping the patient in front of all the other things. The cutting-edge office is committed to the analysis and treatment of gastrointestinal infections. The whole unit keeps up the soul of Aster CMI clinic which is positioned as one of the most amazing gastroenterology medical clinics in Bangalore as per the Times of India Critical Care Hospital Ranking Survey.

The group of specialists in gastroenterology work intimately with multidisciplinary strengths like GI a medical procedure, Oncology, Pediatrics, and Radiology to deliver ideal, proof-based therapy to patients. The Gastroenterology group incorporates eminent and experienced specialists, best gastroenterologists in Bangalore,

Interventional endoscopists and stoma-care advisors with exceptionally qualified help groups prepared in Basic and Advanced Endoscopy, Nutrition and GI oncology, Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, Pancreatic sicknesses, and GI motility administrations. The gastroenterology division likewise offers exhaustive indicative types of assistance which incorporate thin band imaging, Endoscopic Ultrasound, and related medications, Capsule Endoscopy, Single Balloon Enteroscopy, and Pediatric Endoscopy.

Continental Hospital, Hyderabad

Continental Hospitals, have confidence in offering their patients the best of clinical consideration. Their doctors join their fantastic careful ability and clinician ability with probably the most recent cutting-edge innovation and current clinical instruments to give a positive nature of the treatment. Utilizing inventive clinical innovations empowers their gastroenterologist to acquire clear visual admittance to the insides of the body, examine any indication of contamination, and forestall the spread of infection.

Intended to make general endoscopy administrations helpful and open for their patients. The six system rooms at the suite are furnished with cutting-edge analytic endoscopy apparatuses and hardware. Each instrument and embellishment utilized in the cycles is cleaned and sanitized in lines of the Hospital Sterilization Procedures guarantees that they maintain a 0% cross-contamination rate.

The comprehension of gastroenterological ailments by a gastroenterologist is an extremely mind-boggling science as it’s anything but a straightforward determination in light of stomach torment, the runs, and sickness, in any case, different elements like pressure, personal satisfaction and day to day working of the patient must be thought about by these subject matter experts. Continental Hospital is the best gastroenterologist medical clinic in Hyderabad and has the best gastroenterologist who comprehends the intricacies of the infections or problems influencing the gastrointestinal plot and the different elements of the organs.

The Endoscopy and Motility Suite at Gastro Institute in Hyderabad – Continental Hospitals has six technique rooms that are outfitted with cutting-edge demonstrative endoscopic instruments and hardware. Their middle follows Hospital Sterilization techniques and anticipation and decrease of medical care-related contaminations is a first concern for their Hospital. In this perspective, they have accomplished a 0% cross-contamination rate.

Ruby Hall Clinic, Pune

Ruby Hall Clinic gives a wide scope of clinical benefits concerning Gastro-digestive problems with cutting-edge offices. They convey the most ideal medicines mixed with the ethos of empathetic consideration and amazing skill. They offer clinical benefits at a truly reasonable cost.

The Department of Gastroenterology offers progressed treatment for problems of the liver, biliary tree, pancreas, and other Gastro-gastrointestinal infections, by demonstrative and restorative upper and lower GI endoscopy and ERCP. Their group involves profoundly talented Gastroenterologists and GI specialists with tremendous involvement with performing top-of-the-line techniques and deal clinical considerations at standard with global principles.

The office has added another fascination. They are doing both Cadaveric and Live-related Transplantation. Gastro-gastrointestinal circumstances requiring meeting, their group of experts suggests that a patient might require a conference with Gastroenterologists if he/she is experiencing any of Jaundice, Chronic liver infection (Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C), cirrhosis, gateway hypertension, variceal dying, and ascites. GI Bleeding (haematemesis/melena/new blood per rectum), Abdominal torment and so on.

Ruby Hall Clinic is probably the most established medical clinic in Pune City. It is one of the most liked and believed treatment places for individuals from everywhere the globe. The tertiary consideration community is upheld with current infrastructural offices and a-list clinical conveniences. The branch of gastroenterology is overseen by a group of profoundly equipped doctors and specialists.

Their physicians are available 24/7 to provide emergency care, ensuring patients can maintain and enhance their quality of life. The Center for Gastrointestinal (GI) Diseases also offers a Bariatric Surgery Program for weight loss management and the effective treatment of severe obesity. Every patient under their care is treated with compassion, care, and clinical excellence, and their doctors provide comprehensive post-surgery care to manage chronic conditions, achieving optimal results.

With an array of gastrointestinal disorders to diagnose and treat, Manipal Hospitals takes pride in having exceptional gastroenterologists, endoscopy specialists, and minimally invasive surgeons who handle even the most challenging cases. Whether it’s colitis, gastritis, bile reflux, cirrhosis, acute liver failure, esophageal cancer, and more, their experts rely on state-of-the-art diagnostic and surgical technologies to prescribe the best treatment protocols.

Manipal Hospitals’ gastroenterologists are highly versatile, allowing patients to be part of innovative surgeries and practices that may not be available elsewhere in India. They offer the latest endoscopic techniques that examine and treat gastrointestinal system problems with minimal impact on surrounding tissues.

With a multi-disciplinary approach, Manipal Hospitals’ gastrointestinal sciences division provides comprehensive care for various intestinal system and liver issues, ranging from robotic surgery to minimally invasive endoscopy, esophagogastroduodenoscopy, colonoscopy, small intestine enteroscopy, endoscopic ultrasonography, and pediatric gastroenterology.

Choose GoMedii For Affordable Intrathecal Baclofen Pump Surgery In India

If you want an affordable Intrathecal Baclofen Pump Surgery In India, you are at the right place and time! Trust GoMedii with your treatment; we assure you of a top-notch, hassle-free process.

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