Acute pain management following major surgical procedures in pediatric patients continues to be a challenge, especially after extensive posterior spine fusions. Spine surgery is particularly traumatic, initiating pain in both peripheral and central pathways. While the standard management of post-surgical pain involves a multimodal approach, opioids provide the predominant benefit. However, opioid use is associated with many adverse effects, including nausea, constipation, and pruritus. Perioperative methadone may decrease total opioid consumption and adverse effects as well as improve satisfaction with pain management after scoliosis repair.
This study is a double blind comparison, evaluating the benefits of intraoperative methadone in extensive posterior spine fusion surgery for idiopathic scoliosis. Methadone 0.2 mg/kg will be given to the treatment group. Postoperative evaluation for narcotic use, pain control, and adverse effects will be compared to a standard treatment approach used at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
58
Perioperative IV methadone to be given
control arm
Both groups will receive morphine via Patient-Controlled Analgesia (PCA) pump.
Children's Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
Post-operative Opioid Consumption (mg/kg)
Total amount of opioids consumed during the first 72 hours after surgery.
Time frame: 72 hours
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