Efficacy of Gelatin Sponge Impregnated with Ropivacaine on Postoperative Pain After Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion: A Comparative Study

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigated the efficacy of gelatin sponge impregnated with ropivacaine on postoperative pain after transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) in patients with lumbar degenerative diseases. Methods: A total of 127 patients were evaluated in this retrospective study. All patients underwent transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion. Based on whether they were administered by gelatin sponge impregnated with ropivacaine or saline during operation, patients were divided into ropivacaine group or saline group. The two groups were compared in reference to bedridden period, hospital stay, postoperative complications, visual analog scale (VAS) scores and functional score. The consumption of postoperative diclofenac sodium suppository use was also recorded. The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores and and Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores were used for functional evaluation at 1 year postoperatively. Results: The mean bedridden period and hospital day in the ropivacaine group were significantly lower than saline group. The VAS score was significantly lower in patients receiving gelatin sponge impregnated with ropivacaine as compared with patients in saline group on postoperative day 1, 2, 3 and 4. The number of patients who need the administration of diclofenac sodium suppositor and the mean consumption of postoperative diclofenac sodium suppository was significantly lower in the ropivacaine group as compared with saline group. Conclusion: The application of gelatin sponge impregnated with ropivacaine around the nerve root in patients undergoing TLIF is a safe and effective method, which can effectively control the postoperative pain and promote the functional recovery of patients.