A retrospective quality improvement study of ketorolac use following spinal fusion in pediatric patients.
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.
Horn
Pamela L
PL
Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA.
Wrona
Sharon
S
Beebe
Allan C
AC
Klamar
Jan E
JE
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
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D020910:Ketorolac