JOURNAL ARTICLE
RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL
Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

A prospective, randomized, double-blind study of the efficacy of postoperative continuous local anesthetic infusion at the iliac crest bone graft site after posterior spinal arthrodesis: a minimum of 4-year follow-up.

Spine 2007 December 2
STUDY DESIGN: Parallel design, prospective, double-blinded, randomized, controlled trial composed of 2 independent groups treated with a continuous infusion catheter (saline vs. Marcain) placed into the iliac crest bone graft site (ICBG).

OBJECTIVE: To determine the long-term effects of postoperative continuous local anesthetic agent infusion at the ICBG harvest site in reducing chronic pain, narcotic usage and improving long-term, postoperative function and satisfaction with the surgical procedure.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Harvesting iliac crest bone has been shown to be a source of pain and morbidity. In our initial study, we reported that patients who received local anesthetic at the graft site noted a reduction in acute postoperative pain (VAS) and narcotic usage. METHODS.: Twenty-six patients underwent posterior iliac crest bone graft harvesting. Patients were randomly assigned to receive 96 mL (2 mL/h x 48 hours) of either 0.5% Marcain or normal saline delivered via a continuous infusion catheter placed at the ICBG harvest site. Postoperative pain scores, narcotic use/frequency, activity level, and length of stay (LOS) were recorded and reported previously. At a minimum of 4 years after surgery (mean, 4.7 years; range, 4.5-5.4 years), all patients completed a questionnaire documenting their current VAS pain score (iliac crest), frequency of pain (days per month), level of activity, chronic pain at the ICBG site, and overall satisfaction with the procedure.

RESULTS: Nine of 11 patients (82%) in the treatment group and 10 of 14 patients (71%) in the control group were available at final follow-up (1 death occurred in the control group unrelated to the study). The treatment group had a statistically significant decrease in the graft site pain VAS score (1.4 vs. 4.8) and increased satisfaction with the procedure at a minimum of 4 years postprocedure (P < 0.05). Additionally, no patient in the treatment group developed chronic iliac crest dysesthesias (0 of 9) versus 7 of 10 patients (70%) in the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Continuous infusion of 0.5% Marcain at the ICBG harvest site significantly reduced chronic dysesthesias. Overall satisfaction with the procedure, number of painful days per month, and VAS scores were significantly better in the treatment group at 4 years. No long-term complications were attributed to either the ICBG site or the catheter-infusion system. The use of continuous local anesthetic infusion at the iliac crest may help in alleviating graft-related pain beyond the perioperative phase.

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app