Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Medications in Cranial Neurosurgery: Balancing Opioid-Sparing Analgesia with Bleeding Risk

Abstract

Post-craniotomy pain is a common problem frequently encountered by neurosurgeons. This is typically managed with opioids; however, opioids have been shown to increase intracranial pressure by way of hypercapnia and straining from the associated constipation. Additionally, opioids can confound and mask the neurologic examination of post-craniotomy patients as well as be the nidus for a potential opioid addiction. Thus, alternative solutions for opioids have been a major topic of investigation within the neurosurgical community. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), present as a potential solution due to their non-addictive and analgesic properties, but utilization of NSAIDs in neurosurgical patients has been controversial given that NSAIDs alter platelet function. Whether the degree to which NSAIDs alter platelet function and bleeding time to clinically relevant manner has remained controversial; although, there have been several well-designed studies concluding that the utilization of NSAIDs in post-craniotomy patients does not increase the risk of postoperative bleeding. Herein, we review the pharmacology, efficacy, and safety of NSAIDs with a particular emphasis on NSAID use for post intracranial neurosurgical procedure pain management.