Practical guide to intrathecal drug delivery: short-term and long-term management and complications

The authors aim to provide a comprehensive guide for the short-term and long-term management of intrathecal drug delivery (IDD) systems, addressing the underutilization of this therapy for refractory pain despite its benefits. They synthesize current evidence and clinical experience to outline best practices for patient selection, device management, and complication mitigation, while also considering specific challenges in cancer versus non-cancer populations. The guide emphasizes the importance of functional improvement and quality of life as key outcomes, aiming to enhance the safe and effective application of IDD in pain management.