Early and midterm efficacy of oxiplex gel on postoperative pain intensity, physical disability, and musculoskeletal power in patients undergoing lumbar discectomy

Carboxymethylcellulose/polyethylene oxide, also known as Oxiplex gel, is commonly used during lumbar discectomy operations. It serves to cover the surgical site, preventing adhesions and providing relief from pain and symptoms. However, there is ongoing debate regarding the extent of its beneficial effects on postoperative pain intensity, level of disability, and overall improvement of musculoskeletal conditions. Therefore, the objective of this study is to evaluate the advantages and limitations of using Oxiplex gel in lumbar laminectomy procedures specifically for herniated discs. A randomized controlled trial was conducted on 56 consecutive patients who were candidates for unilateral lumbar discectomy on one lumbar surface. The patients were chosen based on their clinical manifestations and imaging findings. After the initial assessment, the patients underwent either laminectomy or laminotomy surgery. Following the surgery, the patients were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (receiving Oxiplex gel) or the control group. This assignment was done using a computerized random number generator. Assessments were conducted before the operation, as well as 3 and 6 months post-surgery for all patients. There was no significant difference found between the Oxiplex gel and control groups in terms of radicular and low back pain intensity, as well as disability scores, at different time points after surgery (p = 0.336, p = 0.65, and p = 0.336, respectively). Additionally, there were no significant differences found in the prevalence of sexual or sphincteric disorders between the two groups during postoperative assessments (p = 0.639 and p = 0.15, respectively). Furthermore, no significant differences were observed in the results of the postsurgical neuromuscular evaluation under different lower extremities conditions between the two groups. Based on our findings, it was observed that Oxiplex gel did not demonstrate any improvement in post-unilateral lumbar discectomy symptoms or musculoskeletal power.