Physicians' perception about predictors of opioid abuse in patients with chronic non-cancer pain: a Delphi study.

Background: Opioids are being prescribed widely, and increasingly, for the treatment of chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP). However, several side effects are associated with mid- and long-term opioid use and, for certain patients, with the risk of problematic opioid use. The aim of this study is to know the perception of the physicians about which variables could be associated with increased risk of patients with CNCP developing a problem of abuse or misuse of the prescribed opioid medication. Methods: Twenty-nine physicians with experience in CNCP pain management and opioids prescription participated in a two-round Delphi study focused on the risk factors for opioid misuse and abuse. Results: The variables that reached consensus regarding their relationship with the increased risk of suffering a problem of opioid abuse or misuse were: (1) Experiencing pain on a daily basis, (2) previous use of high-dose opioids, (3) generalized anxiety, (4) hopelessness, (5) benzodiazepine intake, (6) use of opioids for reasons other than pain, (7) family problems, family instability or family breakdown, and (8) having access to several opioid prescribers. The only variable that reached consensus regarding it not being associated to a possible risk of abuse or misuse was having mild pain intensity (0-4 on a NRS-11). Conclusions: This study provides useful information that could help make decisions about the use of opioids for CNCP treatment and prevent future difficulties. Prospective studies testing the relationship of the variables that reached consensus with the risk of opioid misuse and abuse are warranted. Significance: This study shows the variables of CNCP that the professional must take into account in order to avoid possible problems when prescribing opioids.

Salvage Therapy With Burst Spinal Cord Stimulation for Chronic Pancreatitis: A Case Report.

INTRODUCTION: Pain associated with chronic pancreatitis is often difficult to treat. On many occasions, interventional techniques may be necessary. In recent years, spinal cord stimulation techniques have been used successfully in the treatment of these patients. However, only the use of traditional tonic stimulation based on paresthesias has been published for this purpose. Spinal cord burst stimulation has been shown to be more effective than tonic stimulation, especially in failed back surgery syndrome. CASE DESCRIPTION: We present the case of an 82-year-old patient with incoercible pain related to chronic pancreatitis for the preceding 5 years. She had shown good short-term results with lidocaine-cortisone blocks and celiac plexus radiofrequency. After a failed trial period with low-frequency conventional tonic stimulation, she was successfully treated with burst stimulation. RESULTS: A sustained pain score reduction of over 50% on the visual analogue scale was seen, as were a decrease in opioid consumption and a high degree of satisfaction with the therapy by our patient.

Invasive Management for Pediatric Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: Literature Review of Evidence.

BACKGROUND: Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a multifactorial condition with complex pathogenesis characterized by spontaneous or stimulus-induced pain that is disproportionate to the inciting event. It is also commonly accompanied by a myriad of autonomic and motor disturbances in highly variable combinations. This condition has been underreported in children until recently. Consequently, the management of CRPS in the pediatric population presents an even greater challenge than in adults, partly because there is a lack of clinical data concerning the efficacy of the diverse treatment methods available, and partly because successful treatment of CRPS involves a multidisciplinary approach. There is a variety of invasive methods to the treatment of CRPS, but scarce pediatric-focused trials have been published to date. OBJECTIVE: To examine and analyze the data currently existing for the invasive management of CRPS in children. It further suggests a management algorithm based in the evidence reviewed and our team experience. STUDY DESIGN: A comprehensive review of invasive management for pediatric CRPS. SETTING: Academic hospital in Spain. METHODS: A comprehensive review of all the evidence published to date was conducted. Four databases (PubMed, Medline, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane databases) were searched for articles published from 1980 to 2014. The eligibility criteria were any paper published in English or Spanish where a non-conventional approach was used to manage pediatric CRPS. Two independent reviewers extracted the data. RESULTS: Many case series have reported the use of interventional management with positive results; however, there is not a single randomized control trial to date comparing the conservative and the invasive management in children. The largest series of pediatric cases showed that between 29% to 35% of children with CRPS needed interventional measures to manage this condition successfully. Sympathetic blocks and spinal drug infusion emerge as the most reported techniques; the spinal infusion of drugs together with the spinal cord stimulation being the most successfully employed. Based upon the available evidence with regard to effect and complications, we recommend an algorithm for the management of pediatric CRPS. LIMITATIONS: The limitations of this study include the paucity of literature, lack of randomized trials, and lack of quality evidence. CONCLUSIONS: Invasive techniques have been used to treat CRPS over the last few decades; however, the evidence for their use is still very weak. Invasive management should be contemplated only when high-standard conservative management has failed to work.

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome in Children: a Multidisciplinary Approach and Invasive Techniques for the Management of Nonresponders.

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is multifactorial condition with complex pathogenesis characterized by spontaneous or stimulus-induced pain that is disproportionate to the inciting event. It is also commonly accompanied by a myriad of autonomic and motor disturbances in highly variable combinations. This condition has been underreported in children until recently. Consequently, the management of CRPS in the pediatric population presents an even greater challenge than in adults, partly because there is a lack of clinical data concerning the efficacy of the diverse treatment methods available, and partly because successful treatment of CRPS involves a multidisciplinary approach. In this retrospective case series, a multidisciplinary management plan is presented in 10 children for whom the standard noninvasive treatment was unsuccessful. Within this management plan, novel drugs were included such as the capsaicin 8% patch, in addition to invasive techniques in patients who did not respond to noninvasive therapies.

Management of pain secondary to temporomandibular joint syndrome with peripheral nerve stimulation.

BACKGROUND: Temporomandibular joint syndrome, or Costen syndrome, is a clinically diagnosed disorder whose most common symptoms include joint pain and clicking, difficulty opening the mouth, and temporomandibular joint discomfort. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is supplied by the auriculotemporal nerve, a collateral branch of the mandibular nerve (the V3 branch of the trigeminal nerve). OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness and safety of permanent peripheral nerve stimulation to relieve TMJ pain. STUDY DESIGN: This case series is a prospective study. SETTING: Pain Unit of a regional universitary hospital. METHODS: The study included 6 female patients with temporomandibular pain lasting from 2 to 8 years that did not respond to intraarticular local anesthetic and corticoid injections. After a positive diagnostic block test, the patients were implanted with quadripolar or octapolar leads in the affected preauricular region for a 2-week stimulation test phase, after which the leads were connected to a permanent implanted pulse generator. Results of the visual analog scale, SF-12 Health Survey, Brief Pain Inventory, and drug intake were recorded at baseline and at 4, 12, and 24 weeks after the permanent implant. RESULTS: Five out of 6 patients experienced pain relief exceeding 80% (average 72%) and received a permanent implant. The SF-12 Health Survey results were very positive for all specific questions, especially items concerning the physical component. Patients reported returning to normal physical activity and rest at night. Four patients discontinued their analgesic medication and 1 patient reduced their gabapentin dose by 50%. LIMITATIONS: Sample size; impossibility of placebo control. CONCLUSION: Patients affected with TMJ syndrome who do not respond to conservative treatments may find a solution in peripheral nerve stimulation, a simple technique with a relatively low level of complications.

Use of laryngeal mask airway for prolonged ventilatory support in a preterm newborn.

We present the case report of a preterm, low weight newborn with dysmorphic features and micrognathia in whom a laryngeal mask airway was inserted and maintained for 44 h for ventilatory support after several failed intubations. No complications associated with laryngeal mask airway use were apparent.