Baclofen Pump

In cases with excessive contraction of the trunk, arms and legs, which we call spasticity, primarily oral mucle relaxants (lioresal) drugs are given.

However, in some patients, these muscle relaxants, which are taken orally, are not effective or serious side effects occur, especially in the liver, at the doses they are effective.

In such cases, baclofen pump surgery should be applied.

Before the surgery, the spinal cord cavity is reached with the help of a needle by entering the lumbar region and the test drug is applied to this cavity.

After the test dose is given, the patient is examined every hour for 6 hours and the direction of his contractions is examined.

If a significant loosening is observed in the patient, permanent baclofen pump surgery is decided.

The operation takes an average of 2 hours. In the surgery, a baclofen pump is placed in the anterior part of the abdomen, and a small diameter hose connected to this pump is carried to the waist area and pumps liquid muscle relaxant (lioresal) continuously to the spinal cord and the nerves around it.

In this way, an effective relaxation is provided. Patients are usually discharged within 2-4 days of surgery.

On average, an ambulatory drug load is made to the pump every six months.