The Impact of NSAID Use After Lumbar Fusion Surgery on Fusion Rate and Complications: A Meta-Analysis

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study is to compile data presented in literature regarding the efficacy of incorporating NSAIDs in the postoperative course for patients undergoing spine surgery, in particular its impact on pain levels, opioid use, complications, and hospital length of stay METHODS: This is a meta-analysis and systematic review. A literature search was conducted using the backbone search [spinal surgery] [Nsaid] [complications]. Criteria for inclusion are as follows: use of NSAIDs for postoperative pain management of spinal surgery, comparison between NSAID and NSAID-free cohort, and reporting on any of pain scores, hospital opioid use, hospital length of stay, complications rate, and operative outcomes. RESULTS: Out of 799 studies, 19 studies met the inclusion criteria. A total of 1522 patient were included in this analysis. The studies included randomized controlled trials, Prospective and retrospective cohorts. Operations included discectomies, laminectomies, and fusions. Most commonly regimens included the NSAID Ketorelac, as in injection given immediately postoperatively. Patients that received NSAID analgesia postoperatively had significantly lower VAS pain scores at 1 and 12 h postoperatively. This group also had a significantly lower opioid consumption and shorter hospital length of stay. A total of 7 fusion studies reported on arthrodesis, showing a significantly lower odds of fusion after NSAIDs use, however after subgrouping according to smoking, this difference proves to be no longer significant. CONCLUSION: Incorporation of NSAIDs into the postoperative regimen for analgesia in patients undergoing spine surgery is an effective approach in reducing hospital length of stay, patient reported pain scores, hospital opioid use, and has no increased risk of complications. Furthermore, use of NSAIDs in the nonsmoking population does not seem to affect arthrodesis rates in patients undergoing spine surgery.