Log In

What is a baclofen pump?

What is a baclofen pump?

Image Courtesy of Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, Dept of Developmental Medicine
Image Courtesy of Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, Dept of Developmental Medicine
  • Baclofen is one of the most effective drugs for dystonia (involuntary muscle spasms) and spasticity (stiff or rigid muscles) in NBIA
  • A baclofen pump is surgically placed inside the body and continuously delivers baclofen
  • When and how much baclofen gets delivered is programed into the pump by a doctor
  • Baclofen is injected into the intrathecal space (fluid-filled area surrounding the spinal cord) through a catheter

When should a baclofen pump be considered?

  • When oral baclofen medication can no longer control the dystonia/spasticity symptoms
    • The oral form typically loses its effectiveness over time
    • Side effects often develop before the oral drug reaches its full potential
  • A baclofen pump should be considered as a alternate treatment earlier rather than later

What can be expected from the procedure?

  • Before having baclofren pump surgery, individuals should first get a few test doses of baclofen
    • They can be injected by a trained nurse in the hospital and kept overnight for observation
    • The test doses will allow the doctor to see how a patient responds to the medication
  • The baclofen pump can be placed either high or low depending on the surgeon
    • Dr. A Leland Albright, a neurosurgeon at the University of Wisconsin, has developed a method to place the pump’s catheter tip high in the ventricle (fluid filled cavity) of the brain
  • After the pump is implanted, regular doctor visits should be scheduled
    • To re-evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment
    • To adjust the level of medication as needed and how it is released from the pump to optimize results
  • Other therapies such as oral medication, Botox injections and DBS (Deep Brain Stimulation) can be used along with a baclofen pump when appropriate/needed

What effect will it have on quality of life?

Image Courtesy of Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, Dept of Developmental Medicine
Image Courtesy of Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, Dept of Developmental Medicine
  • The pump can sometimes be seen under clothing
  • The pump needs to be refilled when the baclofen medication runs low
  • However, it is generally discrete and has little effect on daily activities

Are there any side effects or cons?

Cons

  • The surgical incision site can get infected
  • Baclofen withdrawal or overdose
    • Withdrawal is more likely than an overdose
    • Something as simple as a kink in the tubing can lead to a lack of medication, causing withdrawal symptoms
    • Human error can occur rarely, such as the medication dosage being programmed incorrectly into the pump and causing an overdose (vigilant parents can help reduce this risk)

Pros

  • The baclofen pump is usually more effective than oral baclofen
  • The baclofen pump is effective at a lower dose
    • Lower dosage means fewer side effects and less harm to the body
  • The baclofen pump can deliver medication in multiple ways:
    • Continuous mode
    • Flexible mode
    • Or a combination of both based on trial and error
  • The pump is less invasive than treatments like deep brain stimulation (DBS)
    • DBS is probably the next best option for managing dystonia
  • Treatment is potentially reversible because the pump can be removed if needed

Copyright © 2014 by NBIAcure.org. All rights reserved.