Opioid Free vs. Standard Perioperative Pain Regimen for Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) Surgery

Opioid Free vs. Standard Perioperative Pain Regimen for Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) Surgery

Opioid Free vs. Standard Perioperative Pain Regimen for Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) Surgery

Patients undergoing 1-3 level Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) at the levels between C2 and T1 will be enrolled into this randomized prospective study. All patients enrolled in this study will undergo a trial of non-surgical treatment prior to the recommendation for surgery. After enrollment, patients will be randomized utilizing a block randomization strategy to one of two treatment groups - a standard opioid-containing postoperative pain regimen versus a non-opioid postoperative pain regimen. Postoperative outcomes will be assessed.

Patients will be followed for 12 months and the following Specific Aims will be assessed: Aim 1: Evaluate whether utilization of a non-opioid postoperative pain regimen after ACDF leads to lower rates of new chronic opioid use when compared with postoperative pain regimens utilizing opioids. Aim 2: Evaluate whether utilization of a non-opioid postoperative pain regimen after ACDF results in equivalent postoperative pain scores in the early postoperative period. Aim 3: Evaluate whether utilization of a non-opioid postoperative pain regimen after ACDF leads to equivalent clinical outcomes when compared with postoperative pain regimens utilizing opioids at 3 months and 12 months. Aim 4: Evaluate whether utilization of a non-opioid postoperative pain regimen after ACDF leads to fewer postoperative complications when compared with postoperative pain regimens utilizing opioids.

Patients will be provided a prescription for low dose opioids for 5 days postoperatively (Hydrocodone/Acetaminophen 5/325mg or Oxycodone/Acetaminophen 5/325mg) to be taken every 6 hours as needed for pain. Refills may be provided (Hydrocodone/Acetaminophen 5/325mg or Oxycodone/Acetaminophen 5/325mg) if requested by the patient at the providers discretion. In addition, patients will also be prescribed Gabapentin 300mg q8 hours or Pregabalin 75mg twice daily and a muscle relaxer (Methocarbamol 750mg BID or Flexeril 5-10 mg TID) as needed for spasms. Alternative muscle relaxers (Metaxalone 800 mg TID or Tizanidine 2-6 mg TID) may be utilized if contraindications to methocarbamol and cyclobenzaprine exist.

Patients will receive no opioids. Pain will be managed with Acetaminophen 1000mg q8 hours, Ketorolac 10mg every 6 hours (for 5 days), Gabapentin 300mg q8 hours or Pregabalin 75mg twice daily, and a muscle relaxer (Methocarbamol 750mg BID or Cyclobenzaprine 5-10 mg TID) all to be taken as scheduled for the first 2 weeks (except Ketorolac - 5 days) postoperatively as side effects permit. Other NSAIDS (Naprosyn 500 mg BID or Ibuprofen 800 mg TID) may be utilized if contraindications to Ketorolac exist. Famotidine (20mg BID) or Omeprazole (20mg daily) will be prescribed along with NSAIDS for GI prophylaxis. Alternative muscle relaxers (Metaxalone 800 mg TID or Tizanidine 2-6 mg TID) may be utilized if contraindications to methocarbamol and cyclobenzaprine exist.

Patients will be provided a prescription for low dose opioids for 5 days postoperatively (Hydrocodone/Acetaminophen 5/325mg or Oxycodone/Acetaminophen 5/325mg) to be taken every 6 hours as needed for pain. Refills may be provided (Hydrocodone/Acetaminophen 5/325mg or Oxycodone/Acetaminophen 5/325mg) if requested by the patient at the providers discretion. In addition, patients will also be prescribed Gabapentin 300mg q8 hours or Pregabalin 75mg twice daily and a muscle relaxer (Methocarbamol 750mg BID or Flexeril 5-10 mg TID) as needed for spasms. Alternative muscle relaxers (Metaxalone 800 mg TID or Tizanidine 2-6 mg TID) may be utilized if contraindications to methocarbamol and cyclobenzaprine exist.

Patients will receive no opioids. Pain will be managed with Acetaminophen 1000mg q8 hours, Ketorolac 10mg every 6 hours (for 5 days), Gabapentin 300mg q8 hours or Pregabalin 75mg twice daily, and a muscle relaxer (Methocarbamol 750mg BID or Cyclobenzaprine 5-10 mg TID) all to be taken as scheduled for the first 2 weeks (except Ketorolac - 5 days) postoperatively as side effects permit. Other NSAIDS (Naprosyn 500 mg BID or Ibuprofen 800 mg TID) may be utilized if contraindications to Ketorolac exist. Famotidine (20mg BID) or Omeprazole (20mg daily) will be prescribed along with NSAIDS for GI prophylaxis. Alternative muscle relaxers (Metaxalone 800 mg TID or Tizanidine 2-6 mg TID) may be utilized if contraindications to methocarbamol and cyclobenzaprine exist.

Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) arm pain and neck pain scores. This scale grades pain on a scale from 0 to 10, with 0 being no pain and 10 being the worst pain imaginable. The higher the pain score, the more ineffective a patient's pain medication regimen is.

A disease non-specific tool for measuring medication management, depression, anxiety, fatigue, pain interference, sleep disturbance, and phsyical functioning. Each domain contains questions specific to what trait is being measure. Scores have a mean of 50 and a standard deviation of 10. The higher the score, the better the outcome.

Ask the patient how satisfied they are will their surgical treatment and includes the following responses. 1. Very satisfied 2. Somewhat satisfied 3. Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied 4. Somewhat dissatisfied 5. Very dissatisfied

Inclusion Criteria: Radiographic evidence of degenerative cervical spine disease Failure of conservative therapy Age ≥18 years Skeletal maturity. Exclusion Criteria: Preoperative chronic opioid use as determined by self report (>45 out of past 90 days) History of chronic kidney disease Revision cervical spine surgery Concurrent posterior cervical fusion Does the patient have an intolerance to NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)? Does the patient have any preexisting health condition the study physician believes will be exacerbated by participating in this study?