Ketorolac and spinal fusion: does the perioperative use of ketorolac really inhibit spinal fusion?
METHODS
Retrospective review.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of postoperative use of ketorolac (Toradol) on spinal fusion in humans.


BACKGROUND
The value of parenteral ketorolac in postoperative analgesia has been well documented across surgical specialties. However, some studies have shown that ketorolac may adversely affect osteogenic activity and fracture healing.


METHODS
A total of 405 consecutive patients who underwent primary lumbar posterolateral intertransverse process fusion with pedicle screw instrumentation were included in this retrospective study. A subtotal of 228 patients received Toradol after surgery for adjunctive analgesia. Each patient received a mandatory dose of 30 mg intravenously every 6 hours for 48 hours. The same surgeon performed the fusion procedure on all of these patients. Historical controls included 177 patients who did not receive Toradol after surgery. The minimum follow-up period was 24 months. Nonunions were diagnosed by analyzing sequential radiographs, flexion-extension radiographs, and computed tomography with multiplanar reconstructions. The gold standard of surgical exploration was performed in symptomatic patients with diagnostic ambiguity or nonunions diagnosed by imaging.


RESULTS
There were no smokers in the study population. Pseudarthrosis was identified in 12 of 228 patients (5.3%) who received Toradol after surgery, and in 11 of 177 patients (6.2%) who did not. There was no significant difference detected in the nonunion rates between the two groups (P > 0.05, chi2 method).


CONCLUSIONS
Use of ketorolac after spinal fusion surgery in humans, limited to 48 hours after surgery for adjunctive analgesia, has no significant effect on ultimate fusion rates.
Pradhan
Ben B
BB
Risser Orthopaedic Group, Pasadena, CA 91107, USA. bpradhanb@hotmail.com
Tatsumi
Robert L
RL
Gallina
Jason
J
Kuhns
Craig A
CA
Wang
Jeffrey C
JC
Dawson
Edgar G
EG
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001863:Bone Screws; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D020910:Ketorolac / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011542:Pseudarthrosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000295:instrumentation
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D020910:Ketorolac