Fuerteventura Hospital Plans Enhancements to Pain Management
A new intrathecal infusion pump for patients with complex chronic pain will deliver small drug doses directly to the spinal cord.
The General Hospital of Fuerteventura, part of the Canary Islands Health Department, has introduced an implantable intrathecal infusion system that administers medication directly onto the nerve pathways responsible for pain perception. This technology marks a major step forward in managing chronic pain, which affects roughly 26,000 residents on the island, especially those for whom conventional therapies fail to provide adequate relief.
On Friday, 24 October, the Pain Unit performed the first implantation of the device in a patient suffering from highly complex, treatment‑refractory chronic pain. By delivering the drug straight into the spinal cord, the pump targets the origin of the pain itself.
- Higher therapeutic concentration at the site of action while using a lower dose than oral or systemic treatments.
- More effective relief and greater tolerance to therapy.
- Significant reduction of side‑effects commonly associated with conventional medication.
The procedure was carried out by the Pain Unit of the General Hospital of Fuerteventura, coordinated by Katarzyna Szymczak and Rafael Guerra, specialists in anesthesiology, resuscitation and pain management, with clinical support from the Pain Unit of the University Hospital Nuestra Señora de Candelaria, represented by Carlos Horas.
Programming and Placement of the Device
- The intrathecal pump is programmed from a computer and personalized for each patient, simplifying the work of physicians and nurses, optimizing resources, and improving clinical follow‑up.
- It delivers medication precisely and continuously without requiring any direct action from the patient or caregivers, which enhances therapeutic adherence and quality of life.
Placement procedure
- Performed in an operating theatre under local anesthesia and mild sedation.
- A small incision is made in the back; radiological imaging guides the needle to insert a catheter into the intrathecal space.
- The catheter connects to a reservoir implanted under the abdominal skin.
All critical steps are carried out under radiological vision, ensuring a precise and safe implantation. Once in place, the pump must be refilled every few months via a percutaneous injection, guaranteeing long‑term efficacy.
Chronic Pain as a Disease in Itself
“According to the World Health Organization, chronic pain should not be regarded merely as a symptom but as a disease in its own right. It is defined as pain that occurs continuously (more than four days a week) and persists for at least three months.”
The Pain Unit’s adoption of this advanced technology underscores its commitment to technological innovation and comprehensive patient care, offering the most advanced and effective therapies while strengthening the public health system’s capacity on the island.
The multidisciplinary team of the Chronic Pain Unit at the General Hospital, coordinated by specialists Katarzyna Szymczak and Rafael Guerra, together with Pain Unit coordinator Carlos Horas from Hospital La Candelaria.