Analgesic options for anterior approach to scoliosis repair: a scoping review.

Spine Deform · Sep 2023 · Review

Li CJ, Vaile JR, Gal JS, Park CH, Burnett GW

Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative & Pain Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Spine

SUMMARY — THE REDUCTIONThis scoping review finds continuous epidural analgesia is the best-studied option for anterior scoliosis repair pain control, though newer regional techniques may offer viable alternatives needing further study.
Abstract, as published

PURPOSE: The ideal analgesic regimen for the anterior approach to scoliosis repair is not clearly defined. The purpose of the study was to summarize and identify gaps in the current literature specific to the anterior approach to scoliosis repair.

METHODS: A scoping review was conducted in July 2022 utilizing PubMed, Cochrane, and Scopus databases guided by the PRISMA-ScR framework.

RESULTS: The database search generated 641 possible articles, 13 of which met all inclusion criteria. All articles focused on the effectiveness and safety of regional anesthetic techniques, while a minority also provided both opioid and non-opioid medication frameworks.

CONCLUSION: Continuous Epidural Analgesia (CEA) is the most well-studied intervention for pain control in anterior scoliosis repair, but other, more novel regional anesthetic techniques offer safe and effective potential alternatives. More research is indicated to compare the effectiveness of different regional techniques and perioperative medication regimens specific to anterior scoliosis repair.

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