Copyright: ©Author(s) 2026.
World J Orthop. Aug 18, 2026; 17(8): 122060
Published online Aug 18, 2026. doi: 10.5312/wjo.122060
Published online Aug 18, 2026. doi: 10.5312/wjo.122060
Table 4 Postoperative pain management medications by protocol, n (%)
| Usual care (n = 208) | Opioid-sparing protocol (n = 82) | P value | |
| Postoperative multimodal agents prescribed | |||
| Diazepam | 4 (1.9) | 70 (85.4) | < 0.001 |
| Cyclobenzaprine | 52 (25.0) | 3 (3.7) | < 0.001 |
| Gabapentin or pregabalin | 96 (46.2) | 66 (80.5) | < 0.001 |
| Acetaminophen | 28 (13.5) | 60 (73.2) | < 0.001 |
| Postoperative NSAIDs prescribed | |||
| Ketorolac | 19 (9.1) | 69 (84.1) | < 0.001 |
| Ibuprofen | 34 (16.3) | 16 (19.5) | 0.683 |
| Other NSAID | 23 (11.1) | 61 (74.4) | < 0.001 |
| Postoperative opioids prescribed | |||
| Tramadol | 9 (4.3) | 69 (84.1) | < 0.001 |
| Hydrocodone-acetaminophen | 122 (58.7) | - | N/A |
| Oxycodone-acetaminophen | 60 (28.8) | - | N/A |
| Other opioid | 15 (7.2) | - | N/A |
| Postoperative MME1 | 140.0 (105.0-210.0) | 30.0 (30.0-30.0) | < 0.001 |
- Citation: Parker J, Brennan JC, Johnson AH, Peterman MA, Turcotte JJ, Patton CM. Evaluation of an opioid-sparing protocol for spine surgeries performed in an ambulatory surgery center. World J Orthop 2026; 17(8): 122060
- URL: https://www.wjgnet.com/2218-5836/full/v17/i8/122060.htm
- DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.5312/wjo.122060