Bacteriology, Drug Stability and Exchange of Percutaneous Delivery Systems and Antibacterial Filters in Long-Term Intrathecal Infusion of Opioid Drugs and Bupivacaine in “Refractory” Pain

Abstract

In our population, exchange of the infusion systems when they are empty (within 1 month) and of the antibacterial filters once a month does not appear to affect the concentrations of, or increase the infection risk from, the opioid-bupivacaine mixtures. The risk of bacterial contamination/colonization of the syringes from syringe drivers does not seem to be higher than that of cassettes from external portable pumps.