Perioperative Methadone Use to Decrease Opioid Requirement in Pediatric Spinal Fusion Patients

Summary

Acute pain management following major surgical procedures in pediatric patients continues to be a challenge, especially after extensive posterior spine fusions. Spine surgery is particularly traumatic, initiating pain in both peripheral and central pathways. While the standard management of post-surgical pain involves a multimodal approach, opioids provide the predominant benefit. However, opioid use is associated with many adverse effects, including nausea, constipation, and pruritus. Perioperative methadone may decrease total opioid consumption and adverse effects as well as improve satisfaction with pain management after scoliosis repair.

Timeline

Start

2016-02-01

Primary completion

2022-01-01

Completion

2023-01-01

Publications

• Background Berde CB, Beyer JE, Bournaki MC, Levin CR, Sethna NF. Comparison of morphine and methadone for prevention of postoperative pain in 3- to 7-year-old children. J Pediatr. 1991 Jul;119(1 Pt 1):136-41. doi: 10.1016/s0022-3476(05)81054-6.
• Background Gottschalk A, Durieux ME, Nemergut EC. Intraoperative methadone improves postoperative pain control in patients undergoing complex spine surgery. Anesth Analg. 2011 Jan;112(1):218-23. doi: 10.1213/ANE.0b013e3181d8a095. Epub 2010 Apr 24.
• Background Rusy LM, Hainsworth KR, Nelson TJ, Czarnecki ML, Tassone JC, Thometz JG, Lyon RM, Berens RJ, Weisman SJ. Gabapentin use in pediatric spinal fusion patients: a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. Anesth Analg. 2010 May 1;110(5):1393-8. doi: 10.1213/ANE.0b013e3181d41dc2.
• Background Sharma A, Tallchief D, Blood J, Kim T, London A, Kharasch ED. Perioperative pharmacokinetics of methadone in adolescents. Anesthesiology. 2011 Dec;115(6):1153-61. doi: 10.1097/ALN.0b013e318238fec5.

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