TENS compared to opioids in postoperative analgesic therapy after major spinal surgery with regard to cognitive function.

Background: Long-term use of opioids causes cognitive decline. Transcutaneous nerve stimulation (TENS) applied preincisionally and postoperatively reduces postoperative opioid requirement and provides sufficient analgesia after major spinal surgery. Aim of this study was to find out the impact of TENS compared to opioids, prescribed for postoperative analgesia on early postoperative cognitive function.