OPIOIDS IN SPINE SURGERY PROJECT

Prescription opioid use has been identified as a significant contributor towards the ongoing opioid crisis in North America, placing a significant economic burden on the National healthcare system and its patients. Despite this, commonplace spinal surgical procedures continue to adhere to orthopedic guidelines that recommend pre and postoperative opioid use.  
This study is a historical cohort study examining predictors for postoperative opioid use following lumbar spine surgery in elderly patients in Ontario to inform orthopedic prescription guidelines on opioid use. Our objectives are to determine the predictors of long-term postoperative opioid use among older patients following lumbar spine surgery, and to investigate the association between postoperative opioid use duration, patient resource utilization, and healthcare costs.