The effect of ketoprophen on lumbar spinal fusion healing in a rabbit model. Laboratory investigation.
OBJECTIVE
Several reports have shown that nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have an inhibitory effect in osteogenesis and reduce heterotopic ossification in humans. A deleterious effect of NSAIDs in posterolateral intertransverse process fusion has also been suggested. The authors used a validated rabbit model to try to determine the influence of the NSAID ketoprophen on the fusion rate in lumbar spinal arthrodesis.


METHODS
Thirty New Zealand male rabbits underwent posterolateral (intertransverse process) bilateral spinal fusions at a single level, using autologous bone graft obtained from both iliac crests. The animals were randomized after the operation, so that 15 rabbits received ketoprophen as a postoperative analgesic and the other 15 received the postoperative analgesic tramadol. The animals were killed 8 weeks after surgery, and fusion status was determined by inspection, palpation, anteroposterior radiographs, and histological analysis.


RESULTS
A solid fusion was obtained in eight rabbits (53%), and pseudarthrosis in seven rabbits (47%) in each group.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that the use of ketoprophen after intertransverse spinal fusion at a single level does not decrease the fusion rate, compared with tramadol.
Urrutia
Julio
J
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile. jurrutia@med.puc.cl
Mardones
Rodrigo
R
Quezada
Felipe
F
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007085:Ilium / Q000637:transplantation; D007660:Ketoprofen / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011542:Pseudarthrosis / Q000139:chemically induced; D011817:Rabbits; D013123:Spinal Fusion; D014147:Tramadol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D014147:Tramadol; D007660:Ketoprofen