Introduction of an enhanced recovery program for young adults undergoing posterior spinal fusion surgery for idiopathic scoliosis: a single-centre pilot study evaluating short term outcomes

Background: The large surgical incision and extensive tissue trauma in posterior spinal fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis causes severe acute postoperative pain. Furthermore, posterior spinal fusion is associated with a risk of persistent postsurgical pain. Six months after posterior spinal fusion, the incidence of persistent postsurgical pain is as high as 22% of the patients. Optimizing pain management therefore remains crucial, but challenging. Objective: The study objective is to design and implement an enhanced recovery pathway for patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis undergoing posterior spinal fusion integrating all aspects of biopsychosocial care. Its outcomes are assessed, including its effect on postoperative pain and early mobilization. Design and settings: A prospective cohort study was performed at the Antwerp University Hospital. Methods: In December 2019, a prospective cohort study was set up in which an enhanced recovery pathway substitutes more than the patient controlled intravenous analgesia containing morphine postoperatively. This pathway consists of m/eHealth based psychological screening questionnaires, patient education, early mobilization, and a multimodal analgesia protocol consisting of preemptive gabapentin, an intraoperatively given single dose of methadone (0.2 mg kg-1), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and acetaminophen. Results: We treated 25 adolescents (10 males and 15 females) with the developed enhanced recovery pathway with a mean age of 16.5 years (range 12-22). The mean number of spinal levels fused was 10 (range 6-13). Mean numerical rating scale scores were 4.17 at postoperative day 1, 4.46 at postoperative day 2, and 3.74 at postoperative day 3 in enhanced recovery pathway treated patients. Mean bladder catheterization duration was 3.04 days and enhanced recovery pathway patients stayed in the hospital for an average of 7.4 days. Conclusions: Using an enhanced recovery pathway for patients undergoing posterior spinal fusion could not only reduce the acute and chronic opioid consumption and its side effects, but could also result in less postoperative pain, shorter hospital stay and higher patient satisfaction. Further reevaluation and improvement focused on these variables will likely further improve the effectiveness of enhanced recovery pathways. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04038229.