Effects of ketamine versus dexmedetomidine maintenance infusion in posterior spinal fusion surgery on acute postoperative pain.

Background: One of the most challenging issues after posterior spinal fusion (PSF) surgery is providing appropriate pain control measures to enhance recovery of the patients. We aimed to compare effects of ketamine versus dexmedetomidine infusion during maintenance of anesthesia on acute postoperative pain in PSF surgery.

Methods: In a double-blinded randomized clinical trial, 87 patients candidates for PSF surgery were randomly assigned into three groups.