Naseer Hassan, Raza Hassan, Muhammad Usman, Farooq Azam, Hanif-ur Rehman, Alamzeb Jadoon, Momina Saleem.
The Effect of Epidural Steroids on Postoperative Pain and Hospital Stay in patients Having a Single-Level Lumbar Discectomy.
J Gandhara Med Dent Sci Jan ;10(3):77-80.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of Epidural steroids on postoperative pain and hospital stay in patients having a single-level lumbar discectomy. METHODOLOGY A quasi-experimental study was conducted at the Neurosurgery department, Qazi Hussain Ahmad Medical Complex, Nowshera. Sixty patients with a mean age of 40.3+-9.21 years were enrolled. The enrolled patients were divided into two groups: Group A patients were given intraoperative epidural methylprednisolone 80 mg, while Group B patients were given only normal saline. Pre- and post-operative pain was assessed after 6 hours, 12 hours and at the discharge time from the hospital. The duration of hospital stay was also noted. RESULTS: Out of 60 patients, 55.0% were male, and 45.0% were female, with an overall mean age of 40.3+-9.21 years. The VAS score in Group A was 0.82+-0.26 compared to 2.30+-0.71 in group B (P <0.000). And at first follow-up, the VAS score was 0.13+-0.05 and 1.25+-0.33 in groups A and B, respectively. The length of hospital stay was 1.39+-0.44 and 1.98+-2.50 in groups A and B, respectively. CONCLUSION Intra-operative epidural steroid is beneficial in reducing post-operative pain and hospital stay.

PakMediNet -Pakistan's largest Database of Pakistani Medical Journals - http://www.pakmedinet.com