The association between intraoperative ketamine administration and reduced postoperative opioid consumption among chronic opioid users after multilevel lumbar fusion.

Key Points

• The aim is to investigate how intraoperative ketamine affects postoperative opioid consumption in chronic opioid users undergoing lumbar fusion surgery.
• Analyzed chronic opioid users receiving intraoperative ketamine during multilevel lumbar spine fusion.
• Evaluated opioid consumption at 1 month post-surgery.
• Considered differences in outcomes between chronic opioid users and opioid-naive patients.
• Chronic opioid users had decreased opioid consumption at 1 month post-surgery when receiving ketamine.
• Ketamine showed promise as an adjuvant treatment for pain management in chronic opioid users.
• Increased long-term postoperative opioid use was noted in opioid-naive patients receiving ketamine.