Kim Sang I, et al. - Via a randomized clinical trial, the researchers intended to contrast the efficiency and safety of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug and opioid for acute pain management following lumbar decompressive surgery. Out of 100 recruited patients, 93 (46 patients with celecoxib vs 47 patients with oxycodone) were randomly allotted. Among the 2 groups, no variations were noted in patient demographics and preoperative Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Oswestry Back Pain Disability Index (ODI). At all postoperative time points, VAS and ODI did not vary. Although subanalysis according to sex and age, exhibited important variations in efficiency ie, celecoxib and oxycodone was efficient in female individuals and in male individuals, respectively, on postoperative days 7 and 14 and on postoperative days 7 and 14, oxycodone was efficient in patients aged above 65 years. Nausea/vomiting and constipation were more prevalent in the oxycodone group vs celecoxib group, but other adverse impressions did not differ. Hence, treatment with celecoxib and oxycodone for postoperative pain management demonstrated no notable variations in efficiency in patients who underwent single-level lumbar decompressive surgery. However, the subanalysis exhibited that each drug was efficient in different ages and sex groups.