The effect of ketoprophen on lumbar spinal fusion healing in a rabbit model. Laboratory investigation

J Neurosurg Spine. 2007 Dec;7(6):631-6. doi: 10.3171/SPI-07/12/631.

Abstract

Object: Several reports have shown that nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have an inhibitory effect in osteogenesis and reduce heterotopic ossification in humans. A deleterious effect of NSAIDs in posterolateral intertransverse process fusion has also been suggested. The authors used a validated rabbit model to try to determine the influence of the NSAID ketoprophen on the fusion rate in lumbar spinal arthrodesis.

Methods: Thirty New Zealand male rabbits underwent posterolateral (intertransverse process) bilateral spinal fusions at a single level, using autologous bone graft obtained from both iliac crests. The animals were randomized after the operation, so that 15 rabbits received ketoprophen as a postoperative analgesic and the other 15 received the postoperative analgesic tramadol. The animals were killed 8 weeks after surgery, and fusion status was determined by inspection, palpation, anteroposterior radiographs, and histological analysis.

Results: A solid fusion was obtained in eight rabbits (53%), and pseudarthrosis in seven rabbits (47%) in each group.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that the use of ketoprophen after intertransverse spinal fusion at a single level does not decrease the fusion rate, compared with tramadol.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Analgesics, Opioid / adverse effects
  • Analgesics, Opioid / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / adverse effects
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / pharmacology*
  • Ilium / transplantation
  • Ketoprofen / adverse effects
  • Ketoprofen / pharmacology*
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / surgery*
  • Male
  • Postoperative Care
  • Pseudarthrosis / chemically induced
  • Rabbits
  • Spinal Fusion*
  • Tramadol / adverse effects
  • Tramadol / pharmacology
  • Wound Healing / drug effects*

Substances

  • Analgesics, Opioid
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Tramadol
  • Ketoprofen