Prospective randomized appraisal of the best pain relief option after L4/L5 discectomy

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objectives To determine the efficacy of paracetamol and tramadol analgesia via patient controlled pump and intermittent administration using the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire after L4/L5 discectomy in neurosurgical patients. Methods Fourteen months prospective quantitative study with 200 neurosurgical patients’ participation who underwent elective discectomy of the L4/L5 intervertebral disc extrusion. The study was conducted due to a patient-controlled analgesia pump and intermittent analgesia application. Pain was assessed using the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire in the Croatian language during the zero, first, and second postoperative day. Results Perception of pain was reduced in patient controlled analgesia pump groups after the second measurement during the first postoperative day [95% CI: −3.89, −0.76], regardless of administered analgesic (p< 0.001). After the final measurement, at 7 PM on the second postoperative day, the differences were not significant (p= 0.070). This study results are registered and allocated in the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR). Discussion Analgesia administration via patient-controlled pump contributes to the alleviation of postoperative pain after L4/L5 disc extrusion surgery regardless of administered analgesic.