Continuous infusion of bupivacaine is a good analgesia for patients undergoing posterior surgical correction for scoliosis and may reduce the amount of postoperative morphine the patient needs, according to a study published in Spine.
Researchers conducted a retrospective review of 244 adolescent patients who underwent surgery for idiopathic scoliosis. There were 129 patients who received continuous bupivacaine through a catheter and 115 who did not.
Significantly fewer (32.6 percent) of the patients in the bupivacaine group required continuous basal infusion of morphine than the control group (85.2 percent). The overall pain scores were low in both groups, and the depth of the bupivacaine catheter did not impact the postoperative opioid use.
Read the abstract on analgesia for patients with scoliosis.
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Significantly fewer (32.6 percent) of the patients in the bupivacaine group required continuous basal infusion of morphine than the control group (85.2 percent). The overall pain scores were low in both groups, and the depth of the bupivacaine catheter did not impact the postoperative opioid use.
Read the abstract on analgesia for patients with scoliosis.
Related Articles on Spine Surgery:
Study: Unbiased SPORT Patient Video Helps Patients with Treatment Decisions
Study: Neuromuscular Scoliosis Has High Morbidity
Behavioral Graded Activity May Not be Cost Effective for Neck Pain