Management of Perioperative Pain Control After Spine Surgery

Postoperative neuropathic pain is one of the most dreadful complications following lumbar spine surgeries. Owing to the similarities in the pathophysiological and biochemical mechanisms underlying epilepsy and neuropathic pain, many antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) like pregabalin and gabapentin are being used in the treatment of post-operative neuropathic pain.It is important to mention that Gabapentin 900mg/day led to the lowest VAS score (Pain score) and was the best in its opioid sparing effect followed by other concentrations  of Gabapentin (1200mg, 600mg, and 300mg) & Pregabalins (150mg & 75mg), respectively with no significant differences in adverse events in spine Surgeries.

Reference: 
Garg RN, Vaje S, Patil H, Bajaj S. A prospective and observational study to assess the efficacy of pregabalin versus gabapentin in relieving early post operative neuropathic pain with respect to clinical and functional outcomes in patients undergoing open lumbar discectomy surgery. International Journal of Research in Orthopaedics. 2023;10(1):57–63. doi:10.18203/issn.2455-4510.intjresorthop20234039