Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41863662›Full record

ArticleChild's nervous system : ChNS : official journal of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery2026

Standard work tools for managing pediatric baclofen pump infections and withdrawal.

Rishi Jain, Benjamin E Weiss, Elizabeth Snider, James M Mossner, Jeffrey S Raskin

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Child's nervous system : ChNS : official journal of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Rishi JainDivision of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital, Chicago, IL, USA.ORCID 0000-0003-4459-5504
Benjamin E WeissDivision of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital, Chicago, IL, USA.ORCID 0000-0002-7413-5974
Elizabeth SniderDivision of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital, Chicago, IL, USA.ORCID 0000-0002-8855-4379
James M MossnerDivision of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital, Chicago, IL, USA.ORCID 0000-0001-7767-3906
Jeffrey S RaskinDivision of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital, Chicago, IL, USA. jraskin@luriechildrens.org.ORCID 0000-0002-1865-9888

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveIntrathecal baclofen (ITB) pumps are essential for managing spasticity and dystonia in children; however, they carry risks of hardware infection, withdrawal syndrome, and emergent failure. Management of these complications remains variable across institutions, and no unified, pediatric-specific workflow exists to date. We sought to develop and implement standard work tools (SWTs) to guide the evaluation and treatment of ITB pump infection and withdrawal in pediatric patients.

methodsSenior-level pediatric neurosurgery and physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) physicians at a high-volume tertiary children's hospital (Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital) collaboratively developed two structured SWTs addressing: (1) diagnosis and care of suspected ITB pump infection; and (2) structured weaning protocols to prevent and manage withdrawal during pump explantation or malfunction. SWTs were disseminated through detailed manuals and real-time clinical decision support. Their clinical utility was assessed through implementation in cases requiring pump interrogation or removal.

resultsThe SWTs were successfully applied across multidisciplinary teams; collectively, they standardize pump interrogation, laboratory evaluation, drug conversion strategies, ITB dose-based weaning thresholds, and escalation procedures for severe withdrawal or infection. The tools enabled consistent management of both emergent and subacute presentations. We further demonstrate their effectiveness through two representative cases: one involving MSSA pocket infection requiring pump removal and structured withdrawal management, and another involving non-inflammatory wound breakdown with preserved pump function requiring coordinated interdisciplinary care.

conclusionsSWTs improve safety and timeliness in the management of ITB pump infections and baclofen withdrawal in children. The presented tools provide a reproducible framework for first-line providers and pertinent specialists, particularly for those who may not be familiar with key signs and varied presentations. Broader adoption may reduce variability in treatment while optimizing longitudinal ITB therapy outcomes in pediatric patients.

Indexed as

BaclofenInfusion Pumps, ImplantableMuscle Relaxants, CentralSubstance Withdrawal SyndromeChildHumansMuscle SpasticityBaclofenMuscle Relaxants, CentralBaclofen withdrawalCerebral palsyIntrathecal baclofenPediatric neurosurgeryPump infectionSpasticity

Identifiers

PMID41863662
PMCPMC13005834

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.