Use of IV Acetaminophen in the Treatment of Post Operative Pain in Patients Undergoing Craniotomy and Spine Surgery

Use of IV Acetaminophen in the Treatment of Post Operative Pain in Patients Undergoing Craniotomy and Spine Surgery

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of intravenous acetaminophen (Tylenol) for post operative pain control in patients undergoing craniotomies (brain surgery) and spine surgery. Studies have shown that intravenous acetaminophen is useful for post operative pain control in some operations but there have not been studies to evaluate the use of acetaminophen in craniotomies or spine surgery.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of intravenous acetaminophen (Tylenol) for post operative pain control in patients undergoing craniotomies (brain surgery) and spine surgery. Studies have shown that intravenous acetaminophen is useful for post operative pain control in some operations but there have not been studies to evaluate the use of acetaminophen in craniotomies or spine surgery.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18-90 years old
• undergoing non-emergent craniotomy or single level lumbar laminectomy
• must be able to rate pain on a 0-10 scale post-operatively

Exclusion Criteria:

• history of liver disease
• allergy to acetaminophen
• age less than 18 years
• renal failure with creatinine clearance less than 30
• pregnancy
• altered mentation with inability to report pain score
• patients who have received acetaminophen within 6 hours of surgery
• patients in which a neuraxial technique has been performed for surgery
• prisoners