Background　Implantable drug delivery systems (IDDS) is an effective option for the treatment of chronic intractable pain. However, not all patients can achieve ideal effect in clinical application.　Objective　To summarize the factors that affect chronic pain patients' IDDS, and provide new methods and ideas for clinical practice.　Content　Proper patient selection, drug selection and management are very important for the IDDS analgesia. The position of the catheter tip, choice of drug, transmission model and so on influence the IDDS analgesic effect.　Trend　Patients with chronic pain treatment requirements are constantly improve, therefore, application of IDDS will provide effective analgesia for patients with chronic intractable pain. The progress in pharmacokinetic of cerebrospinal fluid, drugs for intrathecal injection, implantation procedure, good perioperation management and so on will improve the effects of IDDS.