Safety and Efficacy of Ketorolac After Craniotomy for Tumor Resection

Postoperative pain is the most common undesirable outcome after neurosurgery. Ketorolac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is administered parenterally and carries a theoretical increased risk of bleeding. Our study aims to determine whether ketorolac after craniotomy for tumor resection significantly changes the rate of postoperative adverse events, adequately controls pain, and decreases concurrent narcotic use.

We performed a retrospective chart review of all adult patients who underwent craniotomy for brain tumor resection from 2013 to 2022. Analysis of patients who received ketorolac and those who did not in the postoperative period were compared for adverse events associated with ketorolac use. Secondary outcomes included patient-reported pain scores and postoperative opioid use.

In total, 1114 patients were included, of whom 70 received ketorolac in the postoperative period. Ketorolac was typically administered to patients in whom narcotics had failed to provide sufficient pain relief. Patients receiving ketorolac were younger (P = 0.001) and had a lower comorbidity index (P = 0.041) compared with the nonketorolac group. Patients receiving ketorolac did not experience a significantly increased rate of bleeding events (P = 0.850). Patients receiving ketorolac had significantly greater baseline levels of pain (P = 0.018) and opioid use (P = 0.047). When matched for chronic comorbidities including pain disorders, the ketorolac group only displayed greater levels of pain early in the postoperative course (postoperative day 0-1) but not in latter part of the initial postoperative period.

Ketorolac is a safe and effective option for pain control after craniotomy for tumor resection. Prospective data are needed to better validate these retrospective observations.