Patients receiving 150 milligrams of pregabalin a day to treat pain after posterior lumbar fusion did not have reduced IV narcotic usage, improved physical therapy milestones or reduced length of hospital stay, according to a study in the HSS Journal.
Here are four things to know.
1. Predominately using opioids to manage pain is often associated with multiple adverse effects. The study authors sought to determine if adding 150 milligrams of pregabalin daily would reduce narcotic requirements and improve outcomes after PLF.
2. The randomized, controlled trial involved 86 elective PLF patients who were assigned to receive 150 milligrams of pregabalin one hour before surgery and then 150 milligrams daily after surgery, or a placebo tablet.
3. Demographics and operative time between groups were similar; each group consisted of 43 patients. PCA hydromorphone administration and oral narcotic intake were not statistically different between the two groups. There was no difference in achieving physical therapy milestones and hospital discharge day.
4. The authors were unable to show an analgesic advantage to prescribing pregabalin to patients undergoing lumbar spinal fusion.
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