ReviewCureus2024
Effects of Intraoperative Epidural Steroid-Soaked Gelatin Sponge in Lumbar Spine Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
Review in Cureus, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
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Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
3 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the impact of intraoperative epidural steroid-soaked gelatin sponge in lumbar spine surgery for conditions like spinal stenosis and nerve root compression. Surgery often involves removing structures to decompress the nerves. Steroids are used to alleviate inflammation and pain, with gelatin sponges serving as carriers to extend their effect. While epidural steroid injections have been effective, the combined use of gelatin sponges remains controversial. The study systematically searched databases including PubMed, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials databases involving lumbar surgeries using steroid-soaked gelatin sponges. Seven studies with 620 patients were included, focusing on postoperative pain scores, analgesic use, hospital stay, and complications. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool. Results showed no significant difference in pain scores between the steroid and control groups on postoperative day 1 and at three months. However, there was a trend toward reduced pain in the steroid group. Notably, patients in the steroid group required fewer analgesics, indicating a significant reduction in postoperative pain medication use. Other factors, such as surgery time, blood loss, and hospital stay, showed no statistically significant differences between the groups. The findings suggest that while the use of steroid-soaked gelatin sponges does not significantly change immediate postoperative pain levels, it may contribute to improved pain management. This approach is safe, with minimal risk of complications, and may provide prolonged, localized effects due to the slow release of steroids. Future large-scale randomized trials are needed to further validate these findings. In conclusion, the use of steroid-soaked gelatin sponges in lumbar spine surgery is a feasible option to consider, with potential benefits in postoperative pain management and reduced analgesic consumption.
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