The effect of knee flexion with the patient in the supine position and under general anesthesia for reducing postoperative low back pain

Kim, Dae Young; Son, Hee won; Lee, Ji Hyeon; Kim, Kang il; Cho, Young Woo

Clinical Research

Spinal Pain

Anesthesia and Pain Medicine 2011;6(2):109-112.
Published online April 30, 2011.

The effect of knee flexion with the patient in the supine position and under general anesthesia for reducing postoperative low back pain

Dae Young Kim, Hee won Son, Ji Hyeon Lee, Kang il Kim, Young Woo Cho

Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Ulsan University Hospital, College of Medicine, Ulsan University, Ulsan, Korea. ywcho67@ulsan.ac.kr

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Postoperative low back pain is common. Some studies have indicated that the use of a lumbosacral wedge is effective in reducing the incidence of postoperative low back pain. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of knee flexion with the patient in the supine position and under general anesthesia for reducing postoperative low back pain.
METHODS
261 patients who were undergoing surgery under general anesthesia were randomized to the supine position (Group I) or the supine position with both knees in flexion (Group II). The incidence of low back pain and the pain score (VAS) were measured at the following time points: postoperatively 6 hours, 1 day, 2 days, 3 days and 4 days.
RESULTS
The incidence of low back pain in group II was significantly lower than that in Group I at postoperative 6 hours, 1 day and, 2 days (P < 0.05). But, no significant differences of their pain scores were observed between the groups.
CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that the intraoperative supine position with both knees in flexion can reduced the incidence of postoperative low back pain in a fashion like using a lumbosacral wedge to support the lumbosacral area.

Key Words: General anesthesia, Knee flexion, Low back pain, Postoperative, Supine position