MaineHealth
Dr. Parker Merrill (anesthesiologist) and Dr. Chris Neal (neurosurgeon) are working on a research study comparing two methods of pain control for patients having spinal fusion surgery. We are looking for English-speaking patients between 18 and 70 years old who are scheduled for 1-2 level lumbar spine fusion surgery. Participants in this study will either get morphine injected during surgery (current pain treatment) or morphine and another drug, clonidine. There is an equal chance of getting the two treatment options. No matter which group you are assigned to, you will be provided with additional pain medication if needed after your surgery. You may not directly benefit from participating in this study, but you might have an improvement in your pain after surgery. You will also be helping researchers and doctors find better pain control options for future patients.
The purpose of this study is to try to improve the medications we give to patients to help with their pain after surgery. Many positive changes have been made over the years, but there remains room for improvement. Lumbar spine surgery allows for easy access to the intrathecal space (the fluid around the spinal cord, or CSF) where medications can be given to directly work on pain receptors in the spinal cord. We know that two medications, morphine and clonidine, can be helpful for pain relief when given into the CSF. Our hypothesis is that adding clonidine and morphine together may offer bette…
Inclusion Criteria: * 18-70 years of age * Scheduled for 1-2 level lumbar fusion * Expected post-operative inpatient stay of at least 24 hours * ASA I-III * English speaking Exclusion Criteria: * Substance use disorder * Chronic pain (opioid use of 90 MME daily prior to surgery) * BMI \> 40 * Allergies to clonidine or morphine * Emergent surgery * Coagulopathy (INR \>1.5) * Platelet count \<80 * Significant cardiovascular disease * baseline systolic blood pressure \<100 * Patients on clonidine prior to surgery * Patients scheduled for a revision surgical procedure * Patients who are unable…
Participants in the intervention group will receive the standard of care (150 mcg of intrathecal morphine) with the addition of 75 mcg of clonidine.
Participants in this group will receive the standard of care; 150 mcg of intrathecal morphine
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