An Analysis of Predictors of Persistent Postoperative Pain in Spine Surgery

This review aims to identify perioperative patient-related factors that are associated with the development of persistent postoperative pain (PPP) in patients undergoing spine surgery.

Twenty-one studies published between 2000 and 2019 were included in this literature review. The following five patient-related factors were identified to be associated with the development of PPP after spine surgery: anxiety, depression, pain catastrophizing, pain sensitivity, and preoperative opioid consumption. The existing literature suggests that the risk factors for developing chronic pain after spine surgery appear to be similar to those for other types of surgery. Psychological factors and preoperative opioid consumption are associated with developing chronic pain after spinal surgery. Other factors such as gender, age, preoperative pain intensity, and immediate postoperative pain may also be involved but the evidence on this is limited.