Perioperative NSAID use in single level microdiscectomy and hemilaminectomy

The opioid crisis is a global issue and reduction of perioperative opioid use is paramount to help resolve the crisis. In this study. we investigated the prescribing habits of doctors in a single institution following a single level microdiscectomy or hemilaminectomy and the effect on discharge opioid medications and if the concurrent use of NSAIDs affected opioid use in this patient population. Between Jan 2016 and June 2021, 238 patients underwent either a microdiscectomy or hemilaminectomy. 131 patients received NSAIDs in the perioperative period and 107 did not. Use of NSAIDs was found to be associated with a shorter length of stay (2.6 vs 3.0 days, p = 0.014). Use of NSAIDs was associated with reduced opioid use at outpatient review, however, this was not statistically significant. NSAID use in this population did not result in any clinically significant adverse effects.