Abstract

This review describes the use of spinal catheters in clinical practice. Spinal catheters are often used in anaesthesiology for providing spinal anaesthesia and postoperative treatment of acute pain. In neurosurgical patients the use of spinal catheters enables to reduce intracranial pressure. In patients with chronic pain and spasticity, opioids and relaxant drugs are administered via spinal catheters The rate of complications with spinal catheters is low. New type catheters will probably expand the usage area of spinal catheters. Personal experience is described on the basis of a series of 75 patients.