What Is the Intrathecal Baclofen Pump System?
The intrathecal baclofen pump system is the way doctors give the drug directly into the spinal fluid. The system consists of a catheter (a small, flexible tube) and a pump. The pump — a round metal disc, about one inch thick and three inches in diameter — is surgically placed under the skin of the abdomen near the waistline. The pump stores and releases prescribed amounts of medicine through the catheter. With a programmable pump, a tiny motor moves the medication from the pump reservoir through the catheter. Using an external programmer, your treatment team can make adjustments in the dose, rate, and timing of the medication. People with the pump must return to their doctor’s office for pump refills and medication adjustments, typically every 1-3 months. The pump is taken out and replaced at the end of the battery’s life span (which is usually 5 to 7 years).
