Integrating Patient-Controlled Analgesia Using Implanted Intrathecal Pumps for Postoperative Pain Management: A Case Report.

Intrathecal patient-controlled analgesia (IT-PCA) through implanted intrathecal infusion pumps has been increasingly utilized for severe cancer and chronic noncancer pain management. However, its application for acute postoperative pain management has not been reported to date. We present a case of a patient with an implanted intrathecal pump for chronic nonmalignant back pain who underwent an extensive spinal fusion surgery. The IT-PCA functionality of her intrathecal pump was successfully integrated into her postoperative multimodal pain regimen. Hence, IT-PCA can be safely incorporated into acute postoperative pain management with vigilant monitoring and close multidisciplinary collaboration.