Intrathecal
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
An intrathecal injection (often simply called "intrathecal") is an injection into the spinal canal (intrathecal space surrounding the spinal cord), as in a spinal anaesthesia or in chemotherapy. This route is also used for some infections, particularly post-neurosurgical. Drugs given intrathecally often have to be made up specially by a pharmacist because they cannot contain any preservative.
Intrathecal administration of analgesia:
- Popular for a single 24hour dose of analgesia (opioid with L/A)
- Caution because of late onset respiratory depression
- Severe pruritus and urinary retention may limit the use of intrathecal morphine
- Pethidine has the unusual properties of being both a local anaesthetic and opioid which occasionally permits its use as the sole intrathecal anaesthetic agent.
Edited by: Dr Hussain Ali, John Hunter Hospital
