Evaluation of the Etoricoxib-Mediated Pain-Relieving Effect in Patients Undergoing Lumbar Fusion Procedures for Degenerative Lumbar Scoliosis: A Prospective Randomized, Double-Blind Controlled Study

Abstract

This randomized, double-blind study was carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of etoricoxib in controlling the pain during lumbar fusion surgery of the degenerative lumbar scoliosis patients. We found that perioperative use of etoricoxib produced a significant reduction in the degree of pain compared to the patients treated with placebo. Etoricoxib eased the pain and helped to manage the discomfort of lumbar fusion surgery. In addition, etoricoxib was well tolerated as it caused no serious adverse reaction, suggesting a safe profile. Etoricoxib also appeared to ensure and promote the positive effect of surgery, however, insignificantly. Thus, the results suggest that etoricoxib was effective in safely managing the pain during the lumbar fusion surgery and recovery thereafter.

Etoricoxib Can Reduce Post-Operative Morphine Consumption and Pain Score in Patients Undergoing Lumbar Laminectomy Compare to Acetaminophen: A Randomized Trial

“… 5 , 21 Previous studies have reported that etoricoxib can reduce peri-postoperative pain better than placebo in spine surgery. 22 - 24 However, these studies did not compare the post-operative pain relief of etoricoxib with that of acetaminophen, which was the usual pain-management drug. So, the current study was designed to compare the effectiveness of etoricoxib with that of acetaminophen at dosages similar to those used in previous studies of spine surgeries.…”

“…So, the current study was designed to compare the effectiveness of etoricoxib with that of acetaminophen at dosages similar to those used in previous studies of spine surgeries. 23 , 25 According to drug information of FDA Thailand Ministry of Public Health, the dose of acetaminophen was 500 mg to 750 mg every 4 to 5 hours for bodyweight 50-67 kg. The minimum dosing interval of 4 hours.…”

“…Shi et al used 120 mg per day for degenerative lumbar scoliosis fusion and reported a good result. 23 We used the same interval of drug administration (both acetaminophen and etoricoxib) to equalize the nurse visiting periods that may bias the result (patient-reported outcomes).…”

“…Shi et al used 120 mg per day for degenerative lumbar scoliosis fusion and reported a good result. 23 We used the same interval of drug administration (both acetaminophen and etoricoxib) to equalize the nurse visiting periods that may bias the result (patient-reported outcomes). We found that peri-operative administration of etoricoxib resulted in less morphine consumption, lower pain scores, and the number of adverse events compared with acetaminophen after lumbar laminectomy with or without instrumentation.…”