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Ilfeld BM, Finneran JJ, Alexander B, Abramson WB, Sztain JF, Ball ST, Gonzales FB, Abdullah B, Cha BJ, Said ET. Percutaneous auricular neuromodulation (nerve stimulation) for the treatment of pain following total knee arthroplasty: a randomized, double-masked, sham-controlled pilot study. Reg Anesth Pain Med 2024:rapm-2023-105028. [PMID: 38388019 DOI: 10.1136/rapm-2023-105028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Percutaneous auricular nerve stimulation (neuromodulation) is an analgesic technique involving the percutaneous implantation of multiple leads at various points on/around the ear followed by the delivery of electric current using an external pulse generator. A device is currently available within the USA cleared to treat symptoms from opioid withdrawal, and multiple reports suggest a possible postoperative analgesic effect. The current randomized, controlled pilot study was undertaken to (1) determine the feasibility and optimize the protocol for a subsequent definitive clinical trial and (2) estimate the treatment effect of auricular neuromodulation on postoperative pain and opioid consumption following total knee arthroplasty. METHODS Within the recovery room following primary, unilateral, total knee arthroplasty, an auricular neuromodulation device (NSS-2 Bridge, Masimo, Irvine, California, USA) was applied using three percutaneous leads and one ground electrode. Participants were randomized to 5 days of either electrical stimulation or sham stimulation in a double-masked fashion. Participants were discharged with the stimulator in situ and removed the disposable devices at home. The dual primary treatment effect outcome measures were the cumulative opioid use (oral oxycodone) and the mean of the "average" daily pain measured with the Numeric Rating Scale for the first 5 postoperative days. RESULTS During the first five postoperative days, oxycodone consumption in participants given active stimulation (n=15) was a median (IQR) of 4 mg (2-12) vs 13 mg (5-23) in patients given sham (n=15) treatment (p=0.039). During this same period, the average pain intensity in patients given active stimulation was a median (IQR) of 2.5 (1.5-3.3) vs 4.0 (3.6-4.8) in those given sham (p=0.014). Awakenings due to pain over all eight postoperative nights in participants given active stimulation was a median (IQR) of 5 (3-8) vs 11 (4-14) in those given sham (p<0.001). No device-related localized cutaneous irritation, systemic side effects, or other adverse events were identified. CONCLUSIONS Percutaneous auricular neuromodulation reduced pain scores and opioid requirements during the initial week after total knee arthroplasty. Given the ease of application as well as the lack of systemic side effects and reported complications, a definitive clinical trial appears warranted. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT05521516.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian M Ilfeld
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
- Outcomes Research, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - John J Finneran
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
- Outcomes Research, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Brenton Alexander
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Wendy B Abramson
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Jacklynn F Sztain
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Scott T Ball
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Francis B Gonzales
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Baharin Abdullah
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Brannon J Cha
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Engy T Said
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
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Percutaneous Auricular Nerve Stimulation (Neuromodulation) for Analgesia and Opioid-Sparing Following Knee and Hip Arthroplasty: A Proof-of-Concept Case Series. A A Pract 2022; 16:e01621. [PMID: 36240466 PMCID: PMC9616600 DOI: 10.1213/xaa.0000000000001621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
We present a case series to demonstrate proof-of-concept for the off-label use of an auricular neuromodulation device-originally developed to treat symptoms associated with opioid withdrawal-to instead provide analgesia and opioid-sparing following knee and hip arthroplasties. Within the recovery room, an auricular neuromodulation device (near-field stimulator system 2 [NSS-2] Bridge, Masimo) was applied to 5 patients. Average daily pain at rest and while moving was a median of 0 to 2 as measured on the 0 to 10 numeric rating scale, while median daily oxycodone use was 0 to 2.5 mg until device removal at home on postoperative day 5. One patient avoided opioid use entirely.
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Ilfeld BM, Finneran Iv JJ, Dalstrom D, Wallace AM, Abdullah B, Said ET. Percutaneous auricular nerve stimulation (neuromodulation) for the treatment of pain following outpatient surgery: a proof-of-concept case series. Reg Anesth Pain Med 2022; 47:rapm-2022-103777. [PMID: 35715011 PMCID: PMC9340022 DOI: 10.1136/rapm-2022-103777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Following outpatient surgery, it is often difficult to provide adequate analgesia while concurrently minimizing opioid requirements. Ultrasound-guided percutaneous peripheral nerve stimulation has been proposed as an analgesic, but requires physician-level skills, advanced equipment, up to an hour to administer, and is frequently cost prohibitive. In contrast, percutaneous auricular neuromodulation may be placed by nursing staff in a few minutes without additional equipment, theoretically provides analgesia for nearly any anatomic location, lacks systemic side effects, and has no significant risks. We now present a case report to demonstrate proof of concept for the off-label use of an auricular neuromodulation device-originally developed to treat symptoms associated with opioid withdrawal-to instead provide analgesia following outpatient surgery. CASE PRESENTATION Following moderately painful ambulatory orthopedic and breast surgery, seven patients had an auricular neuromodulation device (NSS-2 Bridge, Masimo, Irvine, California, USA) affixed within the recovery room in approximately 5 min and discharged home. Average resting and dynamic pain scores measured on the 0-10 Numeric Rating Scale were a median of 1 over the first 2 days, subsequently falling to 0. Five patients avoided opioid use entirely, while the remaining two each consumed 5 mg of oxycodone during the first 1-2 postoperative days. After 5 days, the devices were removed at home and discarded. CONCLUSIONS These cases demonstrate that ambulatory percutaneous auricular neuromodulation is feasible and may be an effective analgesic and decreasing or even negating opioid requirements following outpatient surgery. Considering the lack of systemic side effects, serious adverse events, and misuse/dependence/diversion potential, further study with a randomized, controlled trial appears warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian M Ilfeld
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - John J Finneran Iv
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - David Dalstrom
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Anne M Wallace
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Baharin Abdullah
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Engy T Said
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
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Percutaneous Auricular Nerve Stimulation (Neuromodulation) for the Treatment of Pain: A Proof-of-Concept Case Report using Total Joint Arthroplasty as a Surrogate for Battlefield Trauma. J Trauma Acute Care Surg 2022; 93:S165-S168. [PMID: 35594419 PMCID: PMC9323550 DOI: 10.1097/ta.0000000000003706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
In 2 cases we show that ambulatory percutaneous auricular nerve stimulation is feasible after joint arthroplasty. This off-label use appears to have markedly reduced pain and opioid use free of systemic side effects. It is thus a possible analgesic for use on the battlefield. There are few effective pain treatments following trauma on the battlefield other than opioids, which are limited by respiratory depression. Ultrasound-guided percutaneous peripheral nerve stimulation (“neuromodulation”) has been proposed as an analgesic, but requires physician-level skills, advanced equipment, and an hour to administer. In contrast, percutaneous auricular neuromodulation may be placed by a medic in the field under nonsterile conditions in a few minutes, theoretically provides analgesia for any anatomic location, has no side effects, and no significant risks. It therefore offers the potential to be applied quickly on the battlefield without any of the limitations of opioids. We propose total joint replacement as a surrogate for battlefield trauma and here present a case report to demonstrate proof of concept.
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Chelly JE, Monroe AL, Planinsic RM, Tevar A, Norton BE. Auricular field nerve stimulation using the NSS-2 BRIDGE ® device as an alternative to opioids following kidney donor surgery. JOURNAL OF COMPLEMENTARY & INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE 2021; 19:449-454. [PMID: 34714990 DOI: 10.1515/jcim-2021-0208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to investigate the role that the NSS-2 BRIDGE® device, an auricular field nerve stimulator, may play in reducing opioid requirement and pain in kidney donor surgery. It was not a randomized study. Electrophysiologic studies have demonstrated that the stimulation of the cranial nerves produced by the NSS-2 BRIDGE® device modulates the ascending/descending spinal pain pathways, especially at the level of the limbic system. METHODS The design compared the effects of the NSS-2 BRIDGE® device (NSS 2-BRIDGE® device group; n=10) to a control group (n=10). In both groups, the surgery was performed using the same standard enhanced recovery after surgery protocol based on the use of a multimodal analgesic approach. For the active treatment group, the NSS-2 BRIDGE® device was placed in the post anesthesia care unit. The primary endpoint was opioid requirement (oral morphine equivalent, OME in mg) at 24 h post-surgery. Secondary endpoints included pain (0-10), at 24 and 48 h, time to discharge from the recovery room, incidence of post-operative nausea and vomiting at 24 h, time to oral intake, time to ambulation, and time to discharge from the hospital. Data was analyzed using unpaired t-test and presented as mean ± standard deviation. RESULTS Compared to control, the use of the NSS-2 BRIDGE® was associated with a 75.4% reduction in OME (33.6 vs. 8.3 mg; p=0.03) and 41.5% reduction in pain (5 vs. 3.28; p=0.06) at 24 h and a 73.3% difference in pain at 48 h (1.6 ± 1.6 vs. 6.0 ± 2.8; p=0.0004). There was no difference in non-opioid analgesics administration between groups. CONCLUSIONS The tolerability of NSS-2 BRIDGE® device was reported by most to be excellent. This study suggests that the NSS-2 BRIDGE® device may represent a complementary approach for controlling postoperative opioid consumption and pain in patients undergoing kidney donation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacques E Chelly
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Amy L Monroe
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Raymond M Planinsic
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Amit Tevar
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Brittany E Norton
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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Ahmed BH, Courcoulas AP, Monroe AL, Gourash WF, Chelly JE. Auricular nerve stimulation using the NSS-2 BRIDGE device to reduce opioid requirement following laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Surg Obes Relat Dis 2021; 17:2040-2046. [PMID: 34481724 DOI: 10.1016/j.soard.2021.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidence supports the use of complementary techniques to reduce pain and opioid use after surgery. The NSS-2 BRIDGE device (NBD; Innovative Health Solutions, Inc., Versailles, Indiana) modulates pain via stimulation of the nucleus of the auricular branch of the cranial nerves at the level of the brainstem and the limbic system. OBJECTIVE To investigate the role of auricular nerve field stimulation for pain control following gastric bypass surgery. SETTINGS U.S. academic medical center. METHODS A total of 18 subjects were included. Subjects were divided in 2 groups: NBD group (n = 8) and a control group (n = 10). The NBD was placed following laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) surgery in the recovery room. The effectiveness of NBD was assessed comparing the relative use of opioid consumption (oral morphine equivalents) and pain (0 = no pain to 10= worst possible pain) at 24 and 48 hours after surgery. In addition, the device tolerability (1-10) was assessed, with 8-10 considered excellent. Data were analyzed using unpaired t tests and presented as mean ± standard deviation. Alpha was set up at .1. RESULTS Compared with the control group, the use of NBD was associated with a 60.2% reduction in oral morphine equivalents (38.15 vs 15.2 mg; P < .1) and a 28% reduction in pain (5.0 vs 3.6; P = .1) at 24 hours after surgery. The tolerability of NBD was reported to be excellent. CONCLUSIONS This report suggests that NBD may represent an interesting alternative to control perioperative pain and limit opioid use following bariatric surgery. This needs to be confirmed by a placebo-controlled, randomized study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bestoun H Ahmed
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
| | - Anita P Courcoulas
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Amy L Monroe
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - William F Gourash
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Jacques E Chelly
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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