Post-op Acetaminophen vs NSAID Use on Lumbar Spinal Fusion Outcomes

Spinal Stenosis Clinical Trial

Official title: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Post-operative Acetaminophen Versus Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) Use on Lumbar Spinal Fusion Outcomes

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

Patients undergoing spine surgery often have considerable pain post-operatively and frequently require opioid medication (Percocet, Norco, oxycodone, morphine, etc.) to control their pain postoperatively. The widespread use of opioids, however, is associated with a number of side effects. These include: sedation, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, constipation, dizziness and itching amongst others. Some investigators have suggested that anti-inflammatory medications (the same class of medicines as advil, ibuprofen, etc.) and acetaminophen (Tylenol) can reduce the total dose of opioid required postoperatively and, as a result, lower opioid-related side effects. The purpose of this study is to test this hypothesis and determine if postoperative anti-inflammatory medications and postoperative acetaminophen can reduce the amount of opioid required to control pain following surgery. A secondary goal of this study is to examine if the change in pain medication will lead to decreased overall pain levels, decreased opioid-related side effects and improved function [quicker ambulation with physical therapy (PT), earlier return to work, etc.].

Clinical Trial Description

Given the potential for non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and acetaminophen to decrease opioid requirements following spine surgery, the investigators propose a prospective, randomized, double-blinded clinical trial comparing the efficacy of intravenous (IV) acetaminophen (Group A) or IV ketorolac (Group K) versus placebo (Group P). The impact of treatment on perioperative opioid use, opioid-related complications, functional outcomes and rates of pseudarthrosis following 1 or 2 level lumbar fusion surgery will be measured in each group. The specific aims of this study are as follows: - Specific Aim 1: Determine the impact of IV ketorolac or IV acetaminophen use on immediate postoperative opioid requirements, postoperative pain levels and opiate related symptoms using the Opiate-Related Symptom Distress Scale (ORSDS) - Specific Aim 2: Determine the impact of IV ketorolac or IV acetaminophen use on functional outcomes defined by return to work, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and the Veterans Rand-12 (VR-12) Health Survey The primary outcome is to determine the total postoperative opioid dose (in oral morphine equivalents) in each group. The investigators hypothesize that patients in Group A and Group K will have lower total opioid use, suffer from fewer opiate related symptoms and have similar rates of pseudarthrosis to patients in Group P. The investigators hypothesize that patients in Group A and Group K will have a quicker return to work and improved early functional outcomes although they acknowledge that long term functional outcomes may be the same for all groups. ;

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Lumbar Disc Disease
• Lumbar Osteoarthritis
• Osteoarthritis, Spine
• Spinal Stenosis
• Spondylosis

• NCT number: NCT02700451
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: Hospital for Special Surgery, New York
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: March 2016
• Completion date: March 2023