title: A retrospective quality improvement study of ketorolac use following spinal fusion in pediatric patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There are studies and literature that support the claim that ketorolac use after spinal fusion in the adult population can increase the risk of pseudarthrosis, instrumentation failure, and/or nonunion. There is limited research when using ketorolac in the pediatric population, especially short-term use.
  
  
  METHODS
  Chart review of 46 pediatric patients who had prior spinal fusions for scoliosis between July 2003 and August 2005. Twenty-five of the patients received ketorolac and 21 did not. The lengths of stay, incidence of curve progression, and/or incidence of nonunion or instrumentation failure were compared in the 2 groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At the 1-year follow-up, 95% of the patients returned and at the 3-year follow-up, 52% of the patients returned and there was no clinical or radiographic evidence of curve progression, nonunion, or instrumentation failure.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a retrospective study looking at results of 2 patient groups. This is a level III study.
authors.affiliation: Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Pamela L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Horn
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wrona
authors.forename: Allan C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Beebe
authors.forename: Jan E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Klamar
mesh_terms: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D006801:Humans; D020910:Ketorolac / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010372:Pediatrics; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000601:surgery*; D013123:Spinal Fusion; D017749:Total Quality Management
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D020910:Ketorolac