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Effect of Intraoperative Epidural Depo-Medrol Administration on Pain Intensity, Analgesic Use, and Six-Month Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Lumbar Discectomy for Lumbar Disc Herniation
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Armin Mehri1   , Omid Masoumi1  , Ali Andalib2 |
1- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
2- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran , neurosurgery.resident2000@gmail.com |
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Abstract: (20 Views) |
Introduction: Postoperative pain and analgesic requirement are important concerns after lumbar discectomy. This study evaluated the effect of intraoperative epidural Depo-Medrol on pain intensity, analgesic use, and six-month outcomes in patients with lumbar disc herniation.
Methods: This cross-sequential study included 38 patients undergoing lumbar discectomy at Alzahra and Kashani educational hospitals, Isfahan, Iran, from 2022 to 2025. Controls received saline-soaked gelfoam, whereas the intervention group received gelfoam soaked with 40 mg Depo-Medrol. Data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney, chi-square/Fisher exact tests, and effect-size indices.
Results: Pain decreased in both groups, but between-group differences at discharge and one month were not significant. Admission duration and time to self-care also did not differ. Daily opioid use was lower in the Depo-Medrol group (0.39 vs. 0.73 times/day; P=0.047). At six months, recurrence was lower and return to work was higher in the Depo-Medrol group, but not significantly.
Conclusion: Intraoperative epidural Depo-Medrol may reduce postoperative opioid requirement and may be clinically associated with improved mid-term outcomes. Larger controlled studies are needed. |
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| Keywords: Intervertebral disc displacement, Diskectomy, Methylprednisolone, Epidural space, Pain, Postoperative, Analgesics, Opioid |
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Type of Article: Research Article |
Subject:
Neurosurgery
Received: 2025/09/8 | Revised: 2026/06/28 | Accepted: 2026/06/28
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