Opioid Sparing Anesthesia in Lumbar Spine Surgery

Lumbar spine surgery is associated with high pain scores and perioperative disability. Ketamine, lidocaine and dexmedetomidine have all proven but varied analgesic effects. High opioid consumption has been associated with multiple side effects. This double blind clinical trial aims to investigate the possible reduction of opioid use during lumbar spine surgery by administering ketamine, lidocaine and dexmedetomidine. Sixty patients will be randomly allocated into two groups. The control group will receive a continuous infusion of remifentanil, while the Dexmedetomidine-Ketamine-Lidocaine (DKL) group will receive a continuous infusion of ketamine, lidocaine and dexmedetomidine, during the surgery and shortly after Both infusions will be administered blindly. Fentanyl and morphine will be administered to each patient so as to maintain hemodynamic stability and pain relief. The study will eventually compare the need for bolus doses of fentanyl during the surgery and morphine shortly after in each group. Multiple hemodynamic parameters, analgesic consumption, possible side effects, patient satisfaction and the Oswestry low back pain disability questionnaire will be recorded.