Can oral caffeine decrease postoperative opioid consumption following posterior spinal fusion in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis? A randomized placebo-controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Current studies have examined the efficacy of opioid-sparing analgesics primarily in adult surgical populations, while fewer guide pediatric postoperative pain treatment. Caffeine exerts most of its biological effects by binding to adenosine receptors, which are important for modifying pain and inflammation. Caffeine's ability to modulate pain following posterior spinal fusion (PSF) for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) has not been previously assessed.

Methods

The hospital investigational drug study (IDS) pharmacy provided either a treatment dose or placebo dose of caffeine to be given to the patient and was also in charge of randomization for the study.

Results

There were 24 patients in the caffeine group (mean 14.3±1.5 years, 91.7% female) and 27 in

SUBMITTER: Stuedemann A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11869876 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature