A randomized prospective evaluation of 3 techniques of postoperative pain management after posterior spinal instrumentation and fusion

Opioid use disorder in pediatric populations: considerations for perioperative pain management and precision opioid analgesia

INTRODUCTION

Opioids are commonly used for perioperative analgesia, yet children still suffer high rates of severe post-surgical pain and opioid-related adverse effects. Persistent and severe acute surgical pain greatly increases the child's chances of chronic surgical pain, long-term opioid use, and opioid use disorder.

AREAS COVERED

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols are often inadequate in treating a child's severe surgical pain. Research suggests that 'older' and longer-acting opioids such as methadone are providing better methods to treat acute post-surgical pain. Studies indicate that lower repetitive methadone doses can decrease the incidence of chronic persistent surgical pain (CPSP). Ongoing research explores genetic components influencing severe surgical pain, inadequate opioid analgesia, and opioid use disorder. This new genetic research coupled with better utilization of opioids in the perioperative setting provides hope in personalizing surgical pain management, reducing pain, opioid use, adverse effects, and helping the fight against the opioid pandemic.

EXPERT OPINION

The opioid and analgesic pharmacogenomics approach can proactively 'tailor' a perioperative analgesic plan to each patient based on underlying polygenic risks. This transition from population-based knowledge of pain medicine to individual patient knowledge can transform acute pain medicine and greatly reduce the opioid epidemic's socioeconomic, personal, and psychological strains globally.

Nausea and Vomiting After Posterior Spinal Fusion in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Systematic and Critical Analysis Review

BACKGROUND

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) affects patient satisfaction, health care costs, and hospital stay by complicating the postoperative recovery period after adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) spinal fusion surgery. Our goal was to identify recommendations for optimal management of PONV in AIS patients undergoing posterior spinal fusion (PSF).

METHODS

We performed a systematic review in June 2022, searching the PubMed and Embase electronic databases using search terms "(Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis) AND (Postoperative) AND (Nausea) AND (Vomiting)." Three authors reviewed the 402 abstracts identified from January 1991 to June 2022. Studies that included adolescents or young adults (<21 years) with AIS undergoing PSF were selected for full-text review by consensus. We identified 34 studies reporting on incidence of PONV. Only 6 studies examined PONV as the primary outcome, whereas remaining were reported PONV as a secondary outcome. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery Grades of recommendation were assigned to potential interventions or clinical practice influencing incidence of PONV with respect to operative period (preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative period) on the basis that potential guidelines/interventions for PONV can be targeted at those periods.

RESULTS

A total of 11 factors were graded, 5 of which were related to intervention and 6 were clinical practice-related. Eight factors could be classified into the operative period-1 in the intraoperative period and 7 in the postoperative period, whereas the remaining 3 recommendations had overlapping periods. The majority of grades of recommendations given were inconclusive or conflicting. The statement that neuraxial and postoperative systemic-only opioid therapy have a similar incidence of PONV was supported by good (Grade A) evidence. There was fair (Grade B) and poor evidence (Grade C) to avoid opioid antagonists and nonopioid local analgesia using wound catheters as PONV-reducing measures.

CONCLUSION

Although outcomes after spinal fusion for AIS have been studied extensively, the literature on PONV outcomes is scarce and incomplete. PONV is most commonly included as a secondary outcome in studies related to pain management. This study is the first to specifically identify evidence and recommendations for interventions or clinical practice that influence PONV in AIS patients undergoing PSF. Most interventions and clinical practices have conflicting or limited data to support them, whereas others have low-level evidence as to whether the intervention/clinical practice influences the incidence of PONV. We have identified the need for expanded research using PONV as a primary outcome in patients with AIS undergoing spinal fusion surgery.

Error traps and preventative strategies for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis spinal surgery

Anesthesia for posterior spinal fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis remains one of the most common surgeries performed in adolescents. These procedures have the potential for significant intraprocedural and postoperative complications. The potential for pressure injuries related to prone positioning must be understood and addressed. Additionally, neuromonitoring remains a mainstay for patient care in order to adequately assess patient neurologic integrity and alert the providers to a reversible action. As such, causes of neuromonitoring signal loss must be well understood, and the provider should have a systematic approach to signal loss. Further, anesthetic design must facilitate intraoperative wake-up to allow for a definitive assessment of neurologic function. Perioperative bleeding risk is high in posterior spinal fusion due to the extensive surgical exposure and potentially lengthy operative time, so the provider should undertake strategies to reduce blood loss and avoid coagulopathy. Pain management for adolescents undergoing spinal fusion is also challenging, and inadequate analgesia can delay recovery, impede patient/family satisfaction, increase the risk of chronic postsurgical pain/disability, and lead to prolonged opioid use. Many of the significant complications associated with this procedure, however, can be avoided with intentional and evidence-based approaches covered in this review.

Continuous Epidural Analgesia (CEA) via Single Catheter Providing Profound Analgesia for Pediatric Patients Following Posterior Spinal Fusion (PSF) in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS)

INTRODUCTION

Posterior spinal fusion (PSF) is a commonly performed orthopedic procedure to correct scoliosis in children. Continuous epidural analgesia (CEA) is a proposed means of providing analgesia following PSF. Whether a single epidural catheter with the tip in the upper thorax can provide adequate analgesia for PSF, which often spans the upper thoracic to lower lumbar regions, is unresolved in the literature.

METHOD

In this single-center, retrospective study, we reviewed 69 consecutive patients undergoing PSF for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) with CEA at our institution from October 1, 2020 to May 26, 2022. Data for the entire cohort was divided into two time intervals before and after epidural removal, group epidural (Epi) and group no epidural (No Epi). Daily intravenous and oral opioid morphine equivalents per kilogram (OME/kg) plus mean and maximal visual analogue pain scores (VAS 0-10) were recorded from post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) discharge to the end of postoperative day (POD) three.  Results: 57 patients were included in the study. Opioid usage was 4.5 times greater in the 19 hours following removal of the epidural catheter when compared to the entire period (mean 65 hours) the epidural was in place (Group Epi 0.154 OME/kg vs Group No Epi 0.690 OME/kg, p<0.001). 51% (29/57) of patients did not require opioids (intravenous or oral) while the epidural was in place, all patients required opioids after epidural removal. Mean opioid usage while the epidural was in place was 9.3 OME, equivalent to approximately 6 mg of oxycodone. Mean and maximum pain scores increased significantly after removal of the epidural on POD 3 (mean pain score: Epi 3.4 (1.8) vs No Epi 4.1 (1.7); p<0.001) (max pain score: Epi 4.9 (2.5) vs No Epi 6.3 (2.1); p<0.001).  Conclusions: This is the first study we are aware of to report pain scores and cumulative opioid requirements for PSF patients receiving CEA with a single epidural catheter before and after epidural removal. Opioid usage increased over four times in the 19 hours after epidural removal compared to the total opioid requirements while the epidural was infusing. Mean and maximum pain scores increased significantly after removal of the epidural on POD 3. This study firmly establishes that CEA with a single epidural catheter can provide profound analgesia for patients having PSF for AIS.

Accelerate postoperative management after scoliosis surgery in healthy and impaired children: intravenous opioid therapy versus epidural therapy

PURPOSE

Postoperative pain is a major concern following scoliosis surgery. CEA (continuous epidural analgesia) is established in postoperative pain therapy as well as intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV-PCA). The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of both methods.

METHODS

We retrospectively studied 175 children between 8 and 18 years who were subject to posterior scoliosis correction and fusion. Two main cohorts were formed: CEA with local anesthetic and opioids, and IV-PCA with opioids. Both groups further comprised two sub-cohorts: those who were mentally and/or physically healthy (H; n = 93 vs. n = 30) and those who were impaired (I; n = 26 vs. n = 26). The outcome parameters were the demand for pain medication, parameters of mobilization, and the presence of adverse reactions.

RESULTS

Healthy children who received CEA started mobilization 1 day earlier than children with IV-PCA (p = 0.002). First postsurgical defecation was seen earlier in all children who received CEA in both groups (H; Day 4 vs. Day 5, p = 0.011, I; Day 3 vs. Day 5, p = 0.044). Healthy children who received CEA were discharged from hospital 4 days earlier than their IV-PCA counterparts (p < 0.001). No statistically significant difference in postoperative nausea nor in vomiting was identified between groups. Transient neurological irritations were seen in 9.7% of the patients in the CEA group.

CONCLUSIONS

CEA provides appropriate pain management after scoliosis surgery, regardless of the patient's mental status. It allows earlier postoperative defecation for all patients , as well as shorter hospitalization and an earlier mobilization for healthy patients.

Efficacy of surgeon-directed postoperative local injection with an analgesic mixture in posterior fusion surgery for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

Background

Severe postsurgical pain in posterior spinal fusion is common. Multimodality analgesia, including opioid-based patient-controlled analgesia (PCA), is commonly used, but opioid-related adverse events such as nausea and vomiting are sometimes a problem. We used a ropivacaine-epinephrine-dexamethasone mixture given as one-time local bilateral submyofascial injections at the operated levels added to conventional multimodality analgesia including PCA for postoperative pain control in one group of patients to confirm whether administration of this mixture reduced postoperative pain and opioid use status post posterior spinal fusion.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 67 consecutive patients who had undergone posterior fusion surgery for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), 35 of whom were treated with conventional analgesia that consisted mainly of PCA (control group) and 32 of whom were treated with one-time submyofascial injections of a ropivacaine-epinephrine-dexamethasone mixture (submyofascial injection group) added to conventional multimodality analgesia. We compared postsurgical pain levels and the amount of opioid use over the first 48 h after surgery, as well as physical activity levels and adverse events 2 weeks after surgery.

Results

Postsurgical pain quantified by a numeric rating scale (1–10) in the submyofascial injection group was significantly lower than that in the control group. The amount of fentanyl use was significantly less in the submyofascial injection group at 24 h, 48 h, and all subsequent periods after surgery. In addition, Walking Recovery Time (WRT) defined as the number of days until the first event of ambulation was significantly less in the submyofascial injection group (3.3 d vs 4.1 d, P = 0.0007)). Laxative use was significantly less in the submyofascial injection group (0.3 times vs 1.3 times, P = 0.02).

Conclusions

One-time submyofascial injections at the operated levels with a ropivacaine-epinephrine-dexamethasone mixture after spinal fusion surgery reduced pain, opioid consumption, and opioid-related adverse events. This technique can contribute significantly to postoperative analgesia.

High-volume, multilevel local anesthetics-Epinephrine infiltration in kyphoscoliosis surgery: Intra and postoperative analgesia

Background and Aims:

Local anesthetic (LA) infiltration is one of the analgesic techniques employed during scoliosis correction surgery. However, its efficacy is controversial. In the present study for optimizing analgesia using the infiltration technique, we proposed two modifications; first is the preemptive use of high volume infiltration, second is applying three anatomical multilevel infiltrations involving the sensory, motor, and sympathetic innervations consecutively.

Material and Methods:

This prospective study involved 48 patients randomized into two groups. After general anesthesia (GA), the infiltration group (I) received bupivacaine 0.5% 2 mg/kg, lidocaine 5 mg/kg, and epinephrine 5 mcg/mL of the total volume (100 mL per 10 cm of the wound length) as a preemptive infiltration at three levels; subcutaneous, intramuscular, and the deep neural paravertebral levels, timed before skin incision, muscular dissection, and instrumentation consecutively. The control group (C) received normal saline in the same manner. Data were compared by Mann-Whitney, Chi-square, and t-test as suitable.

Results:

Intraoperatively, the LA infiltration reduced fentanyl, atracurium, isoflurane, nitroglycerine, and propofol consumption. Postoperatively, there was a 41% reduction in morphine consumption, longer time to the first analgesic request, lower VAS, early ambulation, and hospital discharge with high-patient satisfaction.

Conclusion:

The preemptive, high-volume, multilevel infiltration provided a significant intra and postoperative analgesia in scoliosis surgery.

Postoperative Pain Management in Pediatric Spinal Fusion Surgery for Idiopathic Scoliosis

This article reviews and summarizes current evidence and knowledge gaps regarding postoperative analgesia after pediatric posterior spine fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, a common procedure that results in severe acute postoperative pain. Inadequate analgesia may delay recovery, cause patient dissatisfaction, and increase chronic pain risk. Despite significant adverse effects, opioids are the analgesic mainstay after scoliosis surgery. However, growing emphasis on opioid minimization and enhanced recovery has increased adoption of multimodal analgesia (MMA) regimens. While opioid adverse effects remain a concern, MMA protocols must also consider risks and benefits of adjunct medications. We discuss use of opioids via different administration routes and elaborate on the effect of MMA components on opioid/pain and recovery outcomes including upcoming regional analgesia. We also discuss risk for prolonged opioid use after surgery and chronic post-surgical pain risk in this population. Evidence supports use of neuraxial opioids at safe doses, low-dose ketorolac, and methadone for postoperative analgesia. There may be a role for low-dose ketamine in those who are opioid-tolerant or have chronic pain, but the evidence for preoperative gabapentinoids and intravenous lidocaine is currently insufficient. There is a need for further studies to evaluate pediatric-specific optimal MMA dosing regimens after scoliosis surgery. Questions remain regarding how best to prevent acute opioid tolerance, opioid-induced hyperalgesia, and chronic postsurgical pain. We anticipate that this timely update will enable clinicians to develop efficient pain regimens and provide impetus for future research to optimize recovery outcomes after spine fusion.

Methadone-based Multimodal Analgesia Provides the Best-in-class Acute Surgical Pain Control and Functional Outcomes With Lower Opioid Use Following Major Posterior Fusion Surgery in Adolescents With Idiopathic Scoliosis

Introduction:

Posterior spinal fusion for idiopathic scoliosis is extremely painful, with no superior single analgesic modality. We introduced a methadone-based multimodal analgesia protocol, aiming to decrease the length of hospital stay (LOS), improve pain control, and decrease the need for additional opioids.

Methods:

We analyzed 122 idiopathic scoliosis patients with posterior instrumented spinal fusion. They were matched by age, sex, surgeon, and the number of levels fused before and after the implementation of the new protocol. This analysis included 61 controls (intrathecal morphine, gabapentin, intravenous opioids, and adjuncts) and 61 patients on the new protocol (scheduled methadone, methocarbamol, ketorolac/ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and oxycodone with intravenous opioids as needed). The primary outcome was LOS. Secondary outcomes included pain scores, total opioid use (morphine milligram equivalents), time to a first bowel movement, and postdischarge phone calls.

Results:

New protocol patients were discharged earlier (median LOS, 2 days) compared with control patients (3 days; P < 0.001). Total inpatient morphine consumption was lower in the protocol group (P < 0.001). Pain scores were higher in the protocol group on the day of surgery, similar on postoperative day (POD) 1, and lower by POD 2 (P = 0.01). The new protocol also reduced the median time to first bowel movement (P < 0.001), and the number of postdischarge pain-related phone calls (P < 0.006).

Conclusion:

Methadone-based multimodal analgesia resulted in significantly lower LOS compared with the conventional regimen. It also provided improved pain control, reduced total opioid consumption, and early bowel movement compared with the control group.

Opioid Alternatives in Spine Surgery: A Narrative Review

Adequate analgesia is known to improve outcomes after spine surgery. Despite recent attention highlighting the negative effects of narcotics and their addiction potential, opioids have been the mainstay of management for providing analgesia following spine surgeries. However, side effects including hyperalgesia, tolerance, and subsequent dependence restrict the generous usage of opioids. Multimodal analgesia regimens acting through different mechanisms offer significant opioid sparing and minimize the side effects of individual drugs. Hence, they are being increasingly incorporated into enhanced recovery protocols. Multimodal analgesia includes drugs such as N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonists, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and membrane-stabilizing agents, neuraxial opioids, local anesthetic infiltration, and fascial compartment blocks. Analgesia started before the painful stimulus, termed preemptive analgesia, facilitates subsequent pain management. Both nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and neuraxial analgesia have been conclusively shown to reduce opioid requirements after spine surgery, and there is a resurgence of interest in the use of low-dose ketamine or methadone. Neuraxial narcotics offer enhanced analgesia for a longer duration with lower dosage and side effect profiles compared with systemic opioid administration. Fascial compartment blocks are increasingly used as they provide effective analgesia with fewer adverse effects. In this narrative review, we will discuss multimodality analgesic regimens incorporating opioid-sparing adjuvants to manage pain after spine surgery.

Current Trends in Pediatric Spine Deformity Surgery: Multimodal Pain Management and Rapid Recovery

STUDY DESIGN

Narrative review.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this article is to perform a review of the literature assessing the efficacy of opioid alternatives, multimodal pain regimens, and rapid recovery in pediatric spine surgery.

METHODS

A literature search utilizing PubMed database was performed. Relevant studies from all the evidence levels have been included. Recommendations to decrease postoperative pain and expedite recovery after posterior spinal fusion in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients have been provided based on results of studies with the highest level of evidence.

RESULTS

Refining perioperative pain management to lessen opioid consumption with multimodal regimens may be useful to decrease recovery time, pain, and complications. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, acetaminophen, gabapentin, neuraxial blockades, and local anesthesia alone offer benefits for postoperative pain management, but their combination in multimodal regimens and rapid recovery pathways may contribute to faster recovery time, improved pain levels, and lower reduction in total opioid consumption.

CONCLUSION

A rapid recovery pathway using the multimodal approach for pediatric scoliosis correction may offer superior postoperative pain management and faster recovery than traditional opioid only pain protocols.

Multimodal Analgesia for Perioperative Management of Patients presenting for Spinal Surgery

Multimodal, non-opioid based analgesia has become the cornerstone of ERAS protocols for effective analgesia after spinal surgery. Opioid side effects, dependence and legislation restricting long term opioid use has led to a resurgence in interest in opioid sparing techniques. The increasing array of multimodal opioid sparing analgesics available for spinal surgery targeting novel receptors, transmitters, and altering epigenetics can help provide an optimal perioperative experience with less opioid side effects and long-term dependence. Epigenetic mechanisms of pain may enhance or suppress gene expression, without altering the genome itself. Such mechanisms are complex, dynamic and responsive to environment. Alterations that occur can affect the pathophysiology of pain management at a DNA level, modifying perceived pain relief. In this review, we provide a brief overview of epigenetics of pain, systemic local anesthetics and neuraxial techniques that continue to remain useful for spinal surgery, neuropathic agents, as well as other common and less common target receptors for a truly multimodal approach to perioperative pain management.

[Progress in perioperative pain management of pediatric and adolescent spinal deformity corrective surgery]

Objective

To review the advances in perioperative pain management of pediatric and adolescent spinal deformity corrective surgery.

Methods

Regular analgesics, drug administrations, and analgesic regimens were reviewed and summarized by consulting domestic and overseas related literatures about perioperative pain management of pediatric and adolescent spinal deformity corrective surgery in recent years.

Results

As for perioperative analgesis regimens of pediatric and adolescent spinal deformity corrective surgery, regular analgesics include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, opioids, antiepileptic drugs, adrenergic agonists, and local anesthetic, etc. Besides drug administration by mouth, intravenous injection, and intramuscular injection, the administration also includes patient controlled analgesia, epidural injection, and intrathecal injection. Multimodal analgesia is the most important regimen currently.

Conclusion

Heretofore, a number of perioperative pain managements of pediatric and adolescent spinal deformity corrective surgery have been applied clinically, but the ideal regimen has not been developed. To design a safe and effective analgesic regimen needs further investigations.

Postoperative epidural analgesia versus systemic analgesia for thoraco-lumbar spine surgery in children

BACKGROUND

Spine surgery may be associated with severe acute postoperative pain. Compared with systemic analgesia alone, epidural analgesia may offer better pain control. However, epidural analgesia has sometimes been associated with rare but serious complications. Therefore, it is critical to quantify the real benefits of epidural analgesia over other modes of pain treatment.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effectiveness and safety of epidural analgesia compared with systemic analgesia for acute postoperative pain control after thoraco-lumbar spine surgery in children.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, Embase and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature on 14 November 2018, together with the references lists of related reviews and retained trials, and two trials registers.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included all randomized controlled trials performed in children undergoing any type of thoraco-lumbar spine surgery comparing epidural analgesia with systemic analgesia for postoperative pain. We applied no language or publication status restriction.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We assessed risk of bias of included trials using the Cochrane tool. We analysed data using random-effects models. We rated the quality of the evidence according to the GRADE scale.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 11 trials (559 participants) in the review, and seven trials (249 participants) in the analysis: 140 participants received epidural analgesia and 109 received systemic analgesia.Most studies included adolescents. Three trials included in the analysis contained some participants older than 18 years. The types of surgery were posterior spinal fusion for idiopathic scoliosis (nine trials), anterior correction for idiopathic scoliosis (one trial), or selective dorsal rhizotomy in children with cerebral palsy (one trial). The mean numbers of vertebrae operated on were between nine and 14.5 and the mean numbers of spinal levels were between three and four and a half. The length of surgery varied between three and six and a half hours.Compared with systemic analgesia, epidural analgesia reduced pain at rest at all time points. At six to eight hours, the mean pain score on a 0 to 10 scale with systemic analgesia was 3.1 (standard deviation 0.7) and with epidural analgesia was -1.32 points (95% confidence interval (CI) -1.83 to -0.82; 4 studies, 116 participants; moderate-quality evidence). At 72 hours, the mean pain score with epidural analgesia was equivalent to a -0.8 point reduction on a 0 to 10 scale (standardized mean difference (SMD) -0.65, 95% CI -1.19 to -0.10; 5 studies, 157 participants; moderate-quality evidence).Return of gastrointestinal functionThere was no difference for nausea and vomiting between groups (risk ratio (RR) 0.87, 95% CI 0.58 to 1.30; 6 studies, 215 participants; low-quality evidence). One study found epidural analgesia with local anaesthetics may have increased the number of participants who had their first flatus within 48 hours (RR 1.63, 95% CI 1.08 to 2.47; 30 participants; very low-quality evidence). Two studies found epidural analgesia with local anaesthetics may have increased the number of participants in whom first bowel movement occurred within 48 hours (RR 11.52, 95% CI 2.36 to 56.26; 60 participants; low-quality evidence). It was uncertain whether epidural analgesia reduced the time to first bowel movement (MD 0.09 days, 95% CI -0.32 to 0.50; 1 study, 60 participants; very low-quality evidence) and time to first liquid ingestion following epidural infusion of an opioid alone or a local anaesthetic plus an opioid (mean difference (MD) -5.02 hours, 95% CI -13.15 to 3.10; 2 studies, 56 participants; very low-quality evidence). Epidural analgesia with local anaesthetics may have increased the risk of having first solid food ingestion within 48 hours (RR 7.00, 95% CI 1.91 to 25.62; 1 study, 30 participants; very low-quality evidence).Secondary outcomesIt was uncertain whether there was a difference in time to ambulate (MD 0.08 days, 95% CI -0.24 to 0.39; 1 study, 60 participants; very low-quality evidence) and hospital length of stay (MD -0.29 days, 95% CI -0.69 to 0.10; 2 studies, 89 participants; very low-quality evidence). Two studies found participants were more satisfied when treated with epidural analgesia (MD 1.62 on a scale from 0 to 10, 95% CI 1.26 to 1.97; 60 participants; very low-quality evidence). It was unclear whether there was a difference in parent satisfaction for epidural analgesia with an opioid alone (MD 0.60, 95% CI -0.81 to 2.01; 1 trial, 27 participants; very low-quality evidence).ComplicationsIt was uncertain whether there was a difference in the risk of complications such as: respiratory depression (risk difference (RD) -0.05, 95% CI -0.16 to 0.05; 4 studies, 126 participants; very low-quality evidence); wound infection (RD 0.01, 95% CI -0.05 to 0.08; 2 trials, 93 participants; very low-quality evidence); epidural abscess (RD 0, 95% CI -0.05 to 0.05; 3 trials, 120 participants; very low-quality evidence); and neurological complications (RD 0.01, 95% CI -0.04 to 0.06; 4 studies, 151 participants; very low-quality evidence).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

There is moderate- and low-quality evidence that there may be a small additional reduction in pain up to 72 hours after surgery with epidural analgesia compared with systemic analgesia. Two very small studies showed epidural analgesia with local anaesthetic alone may accelerate the return of gastrointestinal function. The safety of this technique in children undergoing thoraco-lumbar surgery is uncertain due to the very low-quality of the evidence. The study in 'Studies awaiting classification' may alter the conclusions of the review once assessed.

Can Preoperative Intravenous Corticosteroids Administration Reduce Postoperative Pain Scores Following Spinal Fusion?: A Meta-Analysis

Objective: This meta-analysis aimed to assess whether preoperative intravenous corticosteroids reduced postoperative pain in patients undergoing spinal fusion surgery. Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Web of Science and Google databases, from inception to March 29, 2018. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared preoperative intravenous glucocorticoids against a control treatment for the effect on pain following spinal fusion surgery were included. A meta-analysis was performed to generate a pooled risk ratio (RR) and weighted mean difference (WMD) with corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) for discontinuous outcomes (the occurrence of postoperative nausea and vomiting [PONV] as well as surgical-site infections) and continuous outcomes (visual analog scale [VAS] scores at 12 h, 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h; total morphine consumption and the length of hospital stay), respectively. Results: Ten RCTs that compared intravenous corticosteroids versus placebo were included in our final meta-analysis. Compared with controls, intravenous corticosteroids were associated with a statistically significant reduction in pain VAS scores at 12 h, 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h. Additionally, intravenous corticosteroids decreased total morphine consumption, PONV, and the length of hospital stay. There was no significant difference between intravenous corticosteroids and controls, regarding the occurrence of infection (p > 0.05). Conclusions: In summary, our results indicated that intravenous corticosteroids not only reduce pain but also have anti-emetic effects. More studies should focus on the adverse effects of administering intravenous corticosteroids.

Postoperative pain management in patients undergoing posterior spinal fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a narrative review

Posterior spinal fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is one of the most invasive surgical procedures performed in children and adolescents. Because of the extensive surgical incision and massive tissue trauma, posterior spinal fusion causes severe postoperative pain. Intravenous patient-controlled analgesia with opioids has been the mainstay of postoperative pain management in these patients. However, the use of systemic opioids is sometimes limited by opioid-related side effects, resulting in poor analgesia. To improve pain management while reducing opioid consumption and opioid-related complications, concurrent use of analgesics and analgesic modalities with different mechanisms of action seems to be rational. The efficacy of intrathecal opioids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as components of multimodal analgesia in scoliosis surgery has been well established. However, there is either controversy or insufficient evidence regarding the use of other analgesic methods, such as continuous ketamine infusion, perioperative oral gabapentin, acetaminophen, continuous wound infiltration of local anesthetics, a single dose of systemic dexamethasone, and lidocaine infusion in this patient population. Moreover, appropriate combinations of analgesics have not been established. The aim of this literature review is to provide detailed information of each analgesic technique so that clinicians can make appropriate choices regarding pain management in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis undergoing posterior spinal fusion.

Effects of periarticular injection on analgesic effects and NSAID use in total knee arthroplasty and total hip arthroplasty

OBJECTIVES

This study examined periarticular multimodal drug injection and the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for an early analgesic effect after total knee arthroplasty and total hip arthroplasty. Patient satisfaction and benefits from the treatment were also assessed.

METHODS

A total of 110 patients who were scheduled to undergo total knee arthroplasty and 86 patients who were scheduled to undergo total hip arthroplasty were divided into two groups, the study group and the control group. The study group received a periarticular multimodal drug injection during surgery. The control group received an equal volume of normal saline. All patients received an analgesia pump and a moderate dose of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Resting and motion Numeric Rating Scale scores, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index, knee or hip joint range of motion, length of postoperative hospital stay, patient satisfaction, total nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug consumption and side effects were recorded.

RESULTS

Both study groups exhibited significant improvement in pain Numeric Rating Scale scores during rest and exercise several days after the surgery. The range of joint motion was greater in the study group, and the length of postoperative hospital stay was shorter than that in the control group. Patients in the study group consumed fewer nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and reported greater satisfaction with surgery.

CONCLUSION

Intraoperative periarticular multimodal drug injection significantly relieved pain after surgery and reduced nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug consumption. These patient had a better postoperative experience, including satisfaction and rehabilitation.

Adolescents' Experiences of Scoliosis Surgery and the Trajectory of Self-Reported Pain: A Mixed-Methods Study

Scoliosis surgery for adolescents is a major surgery with a difficult recovery. In this study, a mixed-methods design was used to broaden the scope of adolescents' experiences of surgery for idiopathic scoliosis and the trajectory of self-reported pain during the hospital stay and through the first 6 months of recovery at home. Self-reports of pain, diaries, and interviews were analyzed separately. The results were then integrated with each other. The trajectory of self-reported pain varied hugely between individuals. Adolescents experienced physical suffering and struggled to not be overwhelmed. The adolescents described the environmental and supportive factors that enabled them to cope and how they hovered between suffering and control as they strived toward normality. This study highlights areas of potential improvement in perioperative scoliosis care in terms of nursing support and pain management.

Perioperative Pain Management in Pediatric Spine Surgery

Pain management after spinal deformity correction surgery for scoliosis in the pediatric population can be difficult. Deformity correction with posterior spinal fusion causes significant tissue trauma. Historically, pain control has been achieved with intravenous opiates. Opiates provide excellent analgesic effect; however, they have serious consequences when used alone. In adult total joint arthroplasty, multimodal pain control has become an increasingly common method to achieve pain control without these sequelae. Recently, the same techniques have been studied in pediatric spinal deformity correction surgery. This article outlines the state of pain management in pediatric spine patients.

Pain and Opioid Use After Total Shoulder Arthroplasty With Injectable Liposomal Bupivacaine Versus Interscalene Block

Postoperative pain control is a significant concern after total shoulder arthroplasty. Injectable periarticular liposomal bupivacaine, which has been found to decrease opioid use after orthopedic procedures, has been proposed as a viable alternative to regional anesthesia. This study compared the efficacy of liposomal bupivacaine vs interscalene block among patients undergoing total shoulder arthroplasty. A retrospective review was conducted of 79 patients who underwent anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty performed by a single surgeon between January 2013 and April 2015. Patient demographics, in-hospital Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) score obtained at 12-hour intervals, length of stay, and total in-hospital morphine equivalents in both the bupivacaine (n=25) and block (n=44) groups were recorded. Differences in length of stay, morphine equivalents, and age were assessed with Wilcoxon tests. Sex differences were assessed with the chi-square test. Repeated measures analysis with least square means was used to assess longitudinal changes in NPRS scores. No significant differences were found between groups for sex (P=.89), age (P=.81), American Society of Anesthesiologists classification (P=.50), preoperative opioid use (P=.41), length of stay (P=.32), or morphine equivalents (P=.71). The average NPRS score in the first 12 hours was 3.01 for the bupivacaine group and 4.41 for the interscalene block group (P=.25). By 48 hours postoperatively, average NPRS scores were similar (P=.93) for the 2 groups, 4.90 for the bupivacaine group and 4.19 for the interscalene block group. The findings for this cohort of patients undergoing anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty showed no significant difference for pain scores, postoperative narcotic use, or length of stay with injectable liposomal bupivacaine vs interscalene block. [Orthopedics. 2017; 40(5):e806-e811.].

Development of Consensus-Based Best Practice Guidelines for Postoperative Care Following Posterior Spinal Fusion for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

STUDY DESIGN

Delphi process with multiple iterative rounds using a nominal group technique.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to use expert opinion to achieve consensus on various aspects of postoperative care following posterior spinal fusion (PSF) for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Significant variability exists in postoperative care following PSF for AIS, despite a relatively healthy patient population and continuously improving operative techniques. Current practice appears based either on lesser quality studies or the perpetuation of long-standing protocols.

METHODS

An expert panel composed of 26 pediatric spine surgeons was selected. Using the Delphi process and iterative rounds using a nominal group technique, participants in this panel were presented with a detailed literature review and asked to voice opinion collectively during three rounds of voting (one electronic and two face-to-face). Agreement >80% was considered consensus. Interventions without consensus were discussed and revised, if feasible.

RESULTS

Consensus was reached to support 19 best practice guideline (BPG) measures for postoperative care addressing non-ICU admission, perioperative pain control, dietary management, physical therapy, postoperative radiographs, surgical bandage management, and indications for discharge.

CONCLUSION

We present a consensus-based BPG consisting of 19 recommendations for the postoperative management of patients following PSF for AIS. This can serve to reduce variability in practice in this area, help develop hospital specific protocols, and guide future research.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

5.

Local infiltration analgesia with ropivacaine in acute fracture of thoracolumbar junction surgery

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective study.

INTRODUCTION

Local infiltration analgesia is effective in many surgeries as knee arthroplasty, but the analgesic efficacy of local infiltration analgesia with ropivacaine in trauma spine surgery in T10 to L2 has not been clarified. We conducted a trial to assess the analgesic efficacy of intraoperative local infiltration analgesia (LIA) with ropivacaine.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study was to clarify the effect of intraoperative local infiltration analgesia with ropivacaine on postoperative pain for patients undergoing thoracolumbar junction fracture surgery.

METHODS

In a retrospective study, in 76 patients undergoing spine surgery for thoracolumbar junction fracture, 20ml of ropivacaine 7.5% (n R group=38) was infiltrated using a systematic technique, or no infiltration was realized (n M group=38). We assessed postoperative pain with Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and morphine consumption in the 24 first hours.

RESULTS

VAS pain score upon awakening and at 2hours postoperatively were significantly lower in the ropivacaine group (P=0.01 and P=0.002). Rescue opioid requirement during the 24 first hours were about 50% lower in the ropivacaine group (P=0.01). No local or systemic side effects were observed.

CONCLUSION

Intraoperative LIA with ropivacaine in thoracolumbar junction fracture surgery may have an analgesic effect in postoperative pain control (24hours) with a reduction of VAS and morphine consumption.

Predicting the pain continuum after adolescent idiopathic scoliosis surgery: A prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) affects half a million children annually in the United States, with dire socioeconomic consequences, including long-term disability into adulthood. The few studies of CPSP in children are limited by sample size, follow-up duration, non-homogeneity of surgical procedure and factors evaluated.

METHODS

In a prospective study of 144 adolescents undergoing a single major surgery (spine fusion), we evaluated demographic, perioperative, surgical and psychosocial factors as predictors of a continuum of postsurgical pain: immediate, pain maintenance at 2-3 months (chronic pain/CP) and persistence of pain a year (persistent pain/PP) after surgery.

RESULTS

We found an incidence of 37.8% and 41.8% for CP and PP. CP and acute pain were both significant predictors for developing PP (p-value <0.001 and 0.003). Preoperative pain and higher postoperative opioid requirement was significantly associated with CP (p = 0.015, p = 0.002), while Childhood Anxiety Sensitivity Index (p = 0.002) and surgical duration (p = 0.014) predicted PP. The final regression models had reasonable predictive accuracy (c-statistic of 0.73 and 0.83 for CP and PP, respectively). Anxiety scores and catastrophizing for child and parent were found to be significantly correlated (p = 0.005, p = 0.013 respectively). Pain trajectories revealed that 65% of patients who developed PP reported CP and high pain trends; however, 33% of those who developed PP could not be identified using solely pain criteria.

CONCLUSION

Persistent postsurgical pain in children is a significant problem. It can be predicted in part by combinations of psychological and clinical variables, which may provide evidence-based measures to prevent development of CPSP in the future.

SIGNIFICANCE

In a homogeneous cohort of adolescents undergoing spine fusion, we report a high incidence of persistent postsurgical pain (41.8%) predicted by child anxiety, perioperative pain, and surgical duration. Our results stress timely preventive and therapeutic strategies.

A comparison of the postoperative analgesic efficacy between epidural and intravenous analgesia in major spine surgery: a meta-analysis

Postoperative analgesia remains a challenge for orthopedic surgeons. The aim of this meta-analysis is to compare the efficacy of epidural analgesia (EA) and intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV-PCA) following major spine surgery. We searched electronic databases, including the PubMed, EMBASE, Ovid and Cochrane databases, for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published before June 2016. The quality of the included trials was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. Random effects models were used to estimate the standardized mean differences (SMDs) and relative risks (RRs), with the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI). Subgroup analyses stratified by the type of epidural-infused medication and epidural delivery were also performed. A total of 17 trials matched the inclusion criteria and were chosen for the following meta-analysis. Overall, EA provided significantly superior analgesia, higher patient satisfaction and decreased overall opioid consumption compared with IV-PCA following major spine surgery. Additionally, no differences were found in the side effects associated with these two methods of analgesia. Egger’s and Begg’s tests showed no significant publication bias. We suggest that EA is superior to IV-PCA for pain management after major spine surgery. More large-scale, high-quality trials are needed to verify these findings.

Improving perioperative care for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients: the impact of a multidisciplinary care approach

The complex nature of the surgical treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) requires a wide variety of health care providers. A well-coordinated, multidisciplinary team approach to the care of these patients is essential for providing high-quality care. This review offers an up-to-date overview of the numerous interventions and safety measures for improving outcomes after AIS surgery throughout the perioperative phases of care. Reducing the risk of potentially devastating and costly complications after AIS surgery is the responsibility of every single member of the health care team. Specifically, this review will focus on the perioperative measures for preventing surgical site infections, reducing the risk of neurologic injury, minimizing surgical blood loss, and preventing postoperative complications. Also, the review will highlight the postoperative protocols that emphasize early mobilization and accelerated discharge.

Pain control following posterior spine fusion: patient-controlled continuous epidural catheter infusion method yields better post-operative analgesia control compared to intravenous patient controlled analgesia method. A retrospective case series

PURPOSE

Pain management following posterior spinal fusion surgeries is a challenging topic. Continuous epidural analgesia (CEA) technique has been invented to resolve some deleterious effects related with conventional intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV-PCA) method. However, studies for effectiveness and safety of CEA are scarce in adult population. Our aim was to compare effectiveness and safety of patient-controlled CEA with conventional IV-PCA method in adult patient population.

METHODS

Chart review of patients, scheduled for elective posterior spine fusion to treat spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis or spinal instability from May 2012 to March 2015, was performed. Patients with spinal infection, cancer, inflammatory disease, and ASA higher than class III, allergy to analgesic medications were excluded from the study. One hundred and nine patients were enrolled into the study. 80 out of 109 patients (40 in CEA group, 40 in IV-PCA group) were matched for age, gender, BMI, type of surgery, level of fusions. Visual Analog Scale scores (VAS) and Ramsay Sedation Scale (RSS) scores were evaluated following surgeries until post-operative 24th hour.

RESULTS

There were 58 female patients (72.5 %). The mean age of the patients was 59.85 years (range 24-82 years). When VAS and RSS scores were compared between the groups, there were statistically significant differences between the groups in respect of VAS scores at every time point following surgery (lower in CEA group), whereas there was no significant difference between the groups in respect of RSS scores. More additional analgesia medication was needed in IV-PCA group (16 vs. 5 patients), which was significantly higher than CEA group (p = 0.029).

CONCLUSIONS

Patient-controlled CEA method is as safe as IV-PCA method and is even more effective than that in controlling immediate post-operative pain in patients treated with posterior spinal fusion.

Comparison of patient-controlled epidural analgesia and patient-controlled intravenous analgesia after spinal fusion surgery: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background

The objective of this meta-analysis was to compare the efficacy and safety of patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) and patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) in postoperative analgesia of spinal fusion surgery.

Methods

Potential academic articles were identified from the Cochrane Library, Medline (1966–2015.5), PubMed (1966–2015.5), Embase (1980–2015.5) and ScienceDirect (1966–2015.5). Gray studies were identified from the references of the included literature. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving PCEA and PCIA after spinal fusion were included. Two independent reviewers performed independent data abstraction. I² statistic was used to assess heterogeneity. Fixed or random effects model was used for meta-analysis.

Results

Eight RCTs met the inclusion criteria. There was a better analgesic effect in patients with PCEA for postoperative VAS on the first day (P = 0.0005) and second day (P = 0.006). The patients with PCEA had a higher incidence of pruritus (P = 0.02) and paresthesia (P = 0.03) after surgery than those with PCIA. There was no statistically significant difference in postoperative VAS on the third day (P = 0.15), nausea (P = 0.74) or emesis (P = 0.37) between the two groups.

Conclusions

After spinal fusion, the patients with PCEA have similar analgesic efficacy during the three postoperative days and a higher incidence of pruritus and paresthesia than those with PCIA. Due to the limited quality and data of the evidence currently available, more high-quality randomized controlled trials are required.

Comparison of pain relief between patient-controlled epidural analgesia and patient-controlled intravenous analgesia for patients undergoing spinal fusion surgeries

INTRODUCTION

This meta-analysis aimed to compare the postoperative analgesic effects of patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) and patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) for patients undergoing spinal fusion surgeries.

METHOD

Relevant articles were identified using computerized and manual search strategies. Statistical analyses were undertaken by the CMA 2.0 statistical software.

RESULTS

Nine cohort studies with a total of 436 patients undergoing spinal fusion surgeries were incorporated in the present meta-analysis. There were significant differences between the PCEA and PCIA groups in the visual analogue scale score of patients undergoing spinal fusion [standardized mean difference = 0.27, 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI) = 0.070-0.470, P = 0.008]. However, no obvious difference was observed in the rate of side effects between the PCIA and PCEA groups (side effects: odds ratio = 0.957, 95 % CI = 0.536-1.708, P = 0.882).

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggested that PCEA may be more effective in relieving pain than PCIA for patients undergoing spinal fusion surgeries.