The Use of Dantrolene to Improve Analgesia in Posterior Lumbar Surgery

Inclusion criteria

• 18 - 80 years of age (inclusive)
• Presenting to the study hospital for lumbar decompression and/or fusion (instrumented fusion of the lumbar spine < 4 levels) under general anesthesia, and scheduled for same-day admission or in-patient admission
• American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Category 1, 2 or 3

Exclusion criteria

• Known allergy to Dantrolene, morphine or other opioids, benzodiazepines that causes a reaction of hives, anaphylaxis, shock, unconsciousness/fainting, rashes/blisters, irregular heartbeat, fever, swelling, shortness of breath, wheezing, serum sickness, drug induced anemia, drug reaction with eosinophilia, and systemic symptoms, or nephritis
• Oxygen saturation < 94%
• Patient being treated with any of the following medications:Non-dihydropyridine Calcium Channel Blockers including verapamil, Estrogen therapy
• Current or past medical history of any of the following: hepatic impairment (including history of transplant), renal impairment or chronic renal disease (including history of transplant), chronic alcohol abuse, chronic respiratory disease (i.e. chronic hypoxia or hypercapnia, COPD)
• Recent history of aspiration (within the last 3 months)
• Patients with any history of neuromuscular dysfunction
• History of obstructive sleep apnea
• Weight > 140 kg
• Currently pregnant
• Actively breastfeeding
• Inability to provide written informed consent