Introduction:

The primary aim of this study was to evaluate how the Game Ready© cryotherapy system impacts postoperative analgesia following lumbar fusion. The secondary aim was to study the effect of cryotherapy on blood loss, transfusion rate and recovery after surgery.

Materials and methods:

This was a retrospective study of 60 patients divided into two consecutive sets. The first set of 30 patients underwent the current anesthesia protocol at our facility (control group) while the second set of 30 underwent the same protocol but the patient wore the Game Ready© cryotherapy belt immediately postoperative (GR group).

Results:

VAS for pain at H6 did not differ between groups (5.2 ± 1.7 vs 5.2 ± 1.8 (p = 0.94)); however, there was a significant decrease in pain at H24 and H48 in the GR group relative to the control group (p = 0.04; p = 0.01; p = 0.01). Consumption of morphine over the first 24 and 48 hours was 50% less in the GR group than in the control group (p = 0.01 and p < 0.0001). Discharge occurred significantly earlier in the GR group (3.9 ± 1.0 days) than the control group (5.1 ± 0.9 days) (p < 0.001). The estimated blood loss was greater in the control group than the GR group (574.7 ml ± 339.2 vs 305.9 ml ± 229.6; p = 0.0003).

Conclusion:

Use of a cryotherapy device in the context of spine surgery is effective at controlling postoperative pain. It also decreases the consumption of analgesics, limits blood loss, reduces the need for transfusions, and contributes to enhanced recovery after surgery.

Level of evidence:

IV.