Neurosurgery
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Intrathecal Morphine Following Lumbar Fusion: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial.
Despite the potential for faster postoperative recovery and the ease of direct intraoperative injection, intrathecal morphine is rarely provided in lumbar spine surgery. ⋯ A single intrathecal injection of 0.2 mg of morphine safely reduces postoperative pain following lumbar fusion.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
The Impact of Alvimopan on Return of Bowel Function After Major Spine Surgery - A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blind Study.
Pain management following major spine surgery requires high doses of opioids and is associated with a risk of opioid-induced constipation. Peripheral mu-receptor antagonists decrease the gastrointestinal complications of perioperative systemic opioid administration without antagonizing the analgesic benefits of these drugs. ⋯ This study shows that the perioperative use of alvimopan significantly reduced the time to return of bowel function with no increase in postoperative opioid use despite a slight increase in pain scores.