No study to date has investigated the efficacy of a continuous perioperative lidocaine infusion in the adult spine surgery population. Therefore, in this prospective, randomized, controlled trial, we will evaluate the analgesic efficacy, anti-inflammatory properties, and rehabilitation pattern with a continuous, perioperative intravenous infusion of lidocaine versus a normal saline placebo in adult patients undergoing a decompressive lumbar laminectomy for spinal canal stenosis. Subjects enrolled in this study will receive a standardized general anesthetic that is consistent with our present clinical practice. The study participants will be randomized to receive both a perioperative bolus (2 mg/kg) and subsequent intravenous infusion (3 mg/kg/hr) of the amide local anesthetic lidocaine or a normal saline placebo at an equal volume per hour. The study infusion will be continued for 90 minutes after surgery. All patients will receive ample and adequate intravenous doses of an opioid (morphine sulfate) to reduce their pain intensity to acceptable levels. Pain intensity, opioid requirements, opioid-related side effects, and both the immediate and sustained rehabilitation pattern will be assessed. In addition to plasma lidocaine levels in the active drug group, plasma C-reactive protein, cortisol, and cytokine levels (e.g., IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α) will be obtained at a series of perioperative time points in all study patients. Postoperative cytokine levels will also be measured in the surgical drainage fluid.