Predictors of Weeks to  Opioid Cessation after Lumbar Fusion: A Prospective Cohort Study

Although the use of prescription opioid analgesics to treat acute, postoperative pain is a well-established practice, the role of opioids in the management of persistent, postoperative pain remains ill-defined. Nevertheless, high rates of long-term opioid use following lumbar fusion have been reported. The goal of this prospective, longitudinal study was to identify predictors of weeks to opioid cessation in a cohort of patients undergoing elective lumbar fusion. Prior to surgery, participants self-reported demographic and clinical data and completed a validated measure of pain catastrophizing.
Source: Pain Management Nursing - Category: Nursing Authors: Tags: Original Article Source Type: research