C URRENT OPINION Advances in intrathecal drug delivery

Purpose of review Targeted intrathecal drug delivery systems (IDDS) are an option in algorithms for the treatment of patients with moderate-to-severe chronic refractory pain. This article is intended to review the literature regarding IDDS published over the last year, with special attention to the Polyanalgesic Consensus Conference 2012. Recent findings The recommendations made by the Polyanalgesic Consensus Conference 2012 are reviewed. Separate considerations of intrathecal drug therapy for neuropathic and nociceptive pain syndromes and the new concept of ‘microdosing’ are discussed in this article. Summary This review includes the recommendations for the use of IDDS, trialing, and recent reports of complications (especially, the occurrence of granulomas). In addition, the latest documents on cerebrospinal fluid and potential lines of future development are discussed.