Intravenous acetaminophen reduced the use of opioids compared with oral administration after coronary artery bypass grafting

Optimizing Pain Management in Cardiac Surgery: A Review of Analgesic Adjuvants

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Pain management following cardiac surgery is a critical component in optimizing both short- and long-term patient outcomes, with poor pain management associated with significant acute and chronic opioid use, opioid dependence and a significant rate of opioid related adverse drug events. The significant burden of both acute and chronic pain following cardiac surgery has given rise to the need for multimodel analgesic strategies, to optimize outcomes and minimize side effects.

RECENT FINDINGS

While significant research has focused recently on the additive value of peripheral nerve blocks, less emphasis has been given to the value of non-opioid based analgesics in preference to traditional opioid based anesthetic and analgesic strategies. In this review, we examine the evidence for several common analgesics, highlighting the evidence supporting efficacy following cardiac surgery, as well as the safety concerns with each agent. We demonstrate the value of a multimodal analgesic strategy to reduce pain scores and improve patient-centered outcomes, and highlight the need for further studies of combination analgesic strategies.

Unlocking the Optimal Analgesic Potential: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Comparing Intravenous, Oral, and Rectal Paracetamol in Equivalent Doses

Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is an extensively used analgesic for acute and chronic pain management. Currently, paracetamol is manufactured for oral, rectal, and intravenous (IV) use. Research has shown varied results on the analgesic properties of IV paracetamol compared to oral and rectal paracetamol; however, research on the same doses of paracetamol is limited. Therefore, this review was constructed to explore the analgesic properties of IV paracetamol compared with oral and rectal paracetamol administered in equivalent doses. A broad and thorough literature search was performed on five electronic databases, including PubMed, ScienceDirect, Medline, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Statistical analysis of all outcomes in our review was then performed using the Review Manager software. Outcomes were categorized as primary (pain relief and time to request rescue analgesia) and secondary (adverse events after analgesia). An extensive quality appraisal was also done using the Review Manager software's Cochrane risk of bias tool. The literature survey yielded 2,945 articles, of which 12 were used for review and analysis. The pooled analysis for patients undergoing surgical procedures showed that IV paracetamol had statistically similar postoperative pain scores at two (mean difference (MD) = -0.14; 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.58-0.29; p = 0.51), 24 (MD = 0.09; 95% CI = -0.02-0.21; p = 0.12), and 48 (MD = 0.04; 95% CI = -0.08-0.16; p = 0.52) hours as oral paracetamol. Similarly, the data on time to rescue analgesia showed no considerable difference between the IV and oral paracetamol groups (MD = -1.58; 95% CI = -5.51-2.35; p = 0.43). On the other hand, the pooled analysis for patients presenting non-surgical acute pain showed no significant difference in the mean pain scores between patients treated with IV and oral paracetamol (MD = -0.35; 95% CI = -2.19-1.48; p = 0.71). Furthermore, a subgroup analysis of analgesia-related adverse events showed that the incidences of vomiting/nausea and pruritus did not differ between patients receiving IV and oral paracetamol (odds ratio (OR) = 0.71; 95% CI = 0.45-1.11; p = 0.13 and OR = 0.48; 95% CI = 0.18-1.29; p = 0.05, respectively). A review of information from two trials comparing equal doses of IV and rectal paracetamol suggested that the postoperative pain scores were statistically similar between the groups. IV paracetamol is not superior to oral or rectal paracetamol administered in equal doses. Therefore, we cannot recommend or refute IV paracetamol as the first-line analgesia for acute and postoperative pain.

Practice Advisory for Preoperative and Intraoperative Pain Management of Cardiac Surgical Patients: Part 2

Pain after cardiac surgery is of moderate to severe intensity, which increases postoperative distress and health care costs, and affects functional recovery. Opioids have been central agents in treating pain after cardiac surgery for decades. The use of multimodal analgesic strategies can promote effective postoperative pain control and help mitigate opioid exposure. This Practice Advisory is part of a series developed by the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists (SCA) Quality, Safety, and Leadership (QSL) Committee's Opioid Working Group. It is a systematic review of existing literature for various interventions related to the preoperative and intraoperative pain management of cardiac surgical patients. This Practice Advisory provides recommendations for providers caring for patients undergoing cardiac surgery. This entails developing customized pain management strategies for patients, including preoperative patient evaluation, pain management, and opioid use-focused education as well as perioperative use of multimodal analgesics and regional techniques for various cardiac surgical procedures. The literature related to this field is emerging, and future studies will provide additional guidance on ways to improve clinically meaningful patient outcomes.

Pharmacologic Management of Pain, Agitation, and Delirium in Burn Patients

The majority of hospitalized burn patients experience pain, agitation, and delirium. The development of each one of these conditions can also lead to, or worsen, the others. Providers, therefore, need to thoroughly assess the underlying issue to determine the most effective treatment. Multimodal pharmacologic regimens are often used in conjunction with non-pharmacologic strategies to manage pain, agitation, and delirium. This review focuses on the pharmacologic management of these complicated patients in a critical-care setting.

Elimination of postoperative narcotics in infant robotic pyeloplasty using caudal anesthesia and a non-narcotic pain pathway

INTRODUCTION

Research suggests that narcotic pain medications are dramatically overprescribed. We hypothesize that narcotics are unnecessary for post-operative pain control in most infants undergoing robotic pyeloplasty. In this series, we report our experience combining caudal blocks with a non-narcotic postoperative pathway as a means of eliminating postoperative narcotics following infant robotic pyeloplasty.

METHODS

We reviewed 24 consecutive patients who underwent robotic pyeloplasty by a single surgeon treated with an end-procedure caudal block followed by a non-narcotic postoperative pain pathway treated between May 2017 and May 2021. The standardized postoperative pathway consisted of an end-procedure caudal block followed by alternating intravenous acetaminophen and ketorolac. We reviewed demographics, outcomes and unscheduled healthcare encounters within 30 postoperative days.

RESULTS

63% (15/24) patients were male and average age was 12.1 months (range 4-34 months). 58% (9/15) underwent surgery on the left. 16.7% (4/24) of patients received a single postoperative dose of narcotics in the PACU. No patient required narcotic prescriptions at discharge or anytime thereafter. The average length of stay was 1.13 days. There was no pain-related, unscheduled visits or phone calls after discharge.

CONCLUSIONS

This series shows that a non-narcotic standardized pain management strategy is a viable option for infants undergoing robotic pyeloplasty. Post procedure caudal block is a good addition to a non-narcotic pathway. In the future, we intend to expand these findings to other pediatric urologic procedures in the hope of eliminating unnecessary narcotic use.

Comparison of intravenous and oral administration of acetaminophen in adults undergoing general anesthesia

BACKGROUND

Acetaminophen is a widely clinically used analgesic. However, the clinical effect of the route of administration on postoperative analgesia as well as on postoperative nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing general anesthesia remains unclear. This study aimed to explore whether the route of administration of acetaminophen affects postoperative analgesia, nausea, and vomiting in patients undergoing general anesthesia.

METHODS

We included all randomized controlled trials investigating the effects of the route of administration of acetaminophen on postoperative pain, nausea, and vomiting in patients undergoing general anesthesia. Independent examiners reviewed the literature and extracted data, with disagreements resolved through negotiation or the involvement of a third party. The Cochrane risk assessment tool was used to evaluate the quality of the included randomized controlled trials. A narrative synthesis was conducted to summarize the qualitative information from the included studies. A meta-integration of quantitative data was performed using RevMan 5.4.

RESULTS

Ten studies met the inclusion criteria. Eight studies assessed postoperative pain, whereas two assessed postoperative nausea and vomiting. Data from the eight studies assessing postoperative pain confirmed that there was no difference between intravenously and orally administered acetaminophen in adults (OR = -0.13; 95% CI, -0.36 to 0.11; p = 0.3). Data from the two studies assessing postoperative nausea and vomiting revealed no difference between intravenously and orally administered acetaminophen in adults (OR = 0.89; 95% CI, 0.64-1.25; p = 0.51). The included studies were of poor quality, with a heterogeneity of 68%.

CONCLUSIONS

No differences in postoperative analgesia or postoperative nausea and vomiting were observed between the routes of administration (intravenous vs. oral) of acetaminophen in adult patients undergoing general anesthesia. There is a need for future large sample studies to increase the reliability of the results.

A Narrative Review on Perioperative Pain Management Strategies in Enhanced Recovery Pathways-The Past, Present and Future

Effective pain management is a key component in the continuum of perioperative care to ensure optimal outcomes for surgical patients. The overutilization of opioids in the past few decades for postoperative pain control has been a major contributor to the current opioid epidemic. Multimodal analgesia (MMA) and enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathways have been repeatedly shown to significantly improve postoperative outcomes such as pain, function and satisfaction. The current review aims to examine the history of perioperative MMA strategies in ERAS and provide an update with recent evidence. Furthermore, this review details recent advancements in personalized pain medicine. We speculate that the next important step for improving perioperative pain management could be through incorporating these personalized metrics, such as clinical pharmacogenomic testing and patient-reported outcome measurements, into ERAS program.

Nonopioid Analgesics in Postoperative Pain Management After Cardiac Surgery

Opioid analgesia is still considered the standard of practice for cardiac surgery. In recent years, combinations of several nonnarcotic analgesics and regional analgesia have shown promise in restricting opioid use during and after cardiac surgery. Ketamine infusion, dexmedetomidine infusion, acetaminophen, ketorolac, and gabapentin are useful adjuvants in cardiac anesthesia practice and have opioid-sparing properties. The beneficial effects of nonnarcotic multimodal analgesia on intraoperative stress response, recovery profile, postoperative pain, and persistent opioid use after cardiac surgery are yet to be established, and further randomized clinical trials are required.

Review of Intravenous Acetaminophen for Analgesia in the Postoperative Setting

BACKGROUND

Acetaminophen is a non-opioid analgesic commonly utilized for pain control after several types of surgical procedures.

METHODS

This scoping primary literature review provides recommendations for intravenous (IV) acetaminophen use based on type of surgery.

RESULTS

Intravenous acetaminophen has been widely studied for postoperative pain control and has been compared to other agents such as NSAIDs, opioids, oral/rectal acetaminophen, and placebo. Some of the procedures studied include abdominal, gynecologic, orthopedic, neurosurgical, cardiac, renal, and genitourinary surgeries. Results of these studies have been conflicting and largely have not shown consistent clinical benefit.

CONCLUSION

Overall, findings from this review did not support the notion that IV acetaminophen has significant efficacy for postoperative analgesia. Given the limited clinical benefit of IV acetaminophen, especially when compared to the oral or rectal formulations, use is generally not justifiable.

Intravenous Versus Oral Acetaminophen in Outpatient Cystoscopy Procedures: Retrospective Comparison of Postoperative Opioid Requirements and Analgesia Scores

PURPOSE

To assess if the choice of acetaminophen formulation (intravenous vs oral) when administered preoperatively for ambulatory cystoscopy procedures is associated with differences in anesthetic outcomes.

METHODS

Medical records of adult patients undergoing ambulatory cystoscopy procedures at an outpatient procedural center from July 1, 2014, through November 30, 2017, were abstracted. The association between anesthetic outcomes (severe pain, rescue opioids, postoperative nausea, and vomiting) and acetaminophen formulation was assessed. Propensity-adjusted analyses were performed using inverse probability of treatment weighting to account for potential confounders.

RESULTS

During the study time frame, there were 611 intravenous and 2955 oral acetaminophen administrations for cystoscopy procedures. Postoperative bladder spasms were a major contributor to severe pain and complicated 1036 cases, with similar rates between intravenous (N = 183, 29.9%) and oral (N = 853, 28.9%) formulations, P = .625. After adjusting for bladder spasms, intravenous acetaminophen was associated with longer anesthesia recovery (estimate 5.2 [95% CI 0.5-9.9] minutes, P = .030), use of rescue opioids (odds ratio 1.33 [1.07-1.66], P = .012), and postoperative nausea and vomiting (1.40 [1.02-1.93], P = .037), but not severe pain (1.07 [0.81-1.40], P = .640).

CONCLUSION

Preoperative intravenous acetaminophen compared to oral acetaminophen for ambulatory cystoscopy procedures was not associated with better anesthetic outcomes. Bladder spasms were a major contributor to postoperative pain.

Treatment With Oral Versus Intravenous Acetaminophen in Elderly Trauma Patients With Rib Fractures: A Prospective Randomized Trial

BACKGROUND

Rib fractures are common injuries among traumatically injured patients, and elderly patients with rib fractures are at increased risk for adverse events and death. The purpose of this study was to determine if oral Per os (PO) acetaminophen is as effective as intravenous (IV) acetaminophen in treating the pain associated with rib fractures.

METHODS

We performed a single-center, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded study. Trauma patients who were ≥65 years old and had ≥1 rib fracture were included in this study. Patients were randomized into IV acetaminophen and oral placebo (n = 63) or IV placebo and oral solution acetaminophen (n = 75) groups. The primary outcome was a mean reduction in pain score at 24 hours, and secondary outcomes included opioid use, intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS), hospital LOS, hospital mortality, the difference in incentive spirometry, and development of pneumonia.

RESULTS

Among the 138 patients included, there was no statistically significant difference between the 2 study groups in a mean reduction in pain score at 24 hours after injury (PO: 3.24, IV: 2.49; P = .230). Opioid pain medication use was equivalent between groups (P = .212), and there was no significant difference in hospital mortality rate between groups (P = .827). There was no statistically significant difference in ICU LOS, hospital LOS, or development of pneumonia.

DISCUSSION

In elderly trauma patients (age ≥65 years) with 1 or more rib fractures, PO acetaminophen is equivalent to IV acetaminophen for pain control, with no difference in morbidity or mortality. Oral acetaminophen should be preferentially used over IV acetaminophen when treating the elderly trauma patient with rib fractures.

Post-thoracotomy ipsilateral shoulder pain: What should be preferred to optimize it - phrenic nerve infiltration or paracetamol infusion?

Background

Post thoracotomy ipsilateral shoulder pain (PTISP) is a distressing and highly prevalent problem after thoracic surgery and has not received much attention despite the incidence as high as 85%.

Objectives

To study the effect of phrenic nerve infiltration with Ropivacaine compared to paracetamol infusion on PTISP in thoracotomy patients with epidural analgesia as standard mode of incisional analgesia in both the groups.

Study Design

Prospective Randomised and Double Blind Study.

Methods

126 adult patients were divided randomly into 2 groups, "Group A (Phrenic Nerve Infiltration Group) received 10 mL of 0.2% Ropivacaine close to the diaphragm into the periphrenic fat pad" and "Group B (Paracetamol Infusion Group) received 20mg/kg paracetamol infusion" 30 minutes prior to chest closure respectively. A blinded observer assessed the patients PTISP using the VAS score at 1, 4, 8, 12 and 24 hours (h) postoperatively. The time and number of any rescue analgesic medication were recorded.

Results

PTISP was relieved significantly in Group A (25.4℅) as compared to Group B (61.9℅), with significantly higher mean duration of analgesia in Group A. The mean time for first rescue analgesia was significantly higher in Group A (11.1 ± 7.47 hours) than in Group B (7.40 ± 5.30 hours). The number of rescue analgesic required was less in Group A 1.6 ± 1.16 as compared to Group B 2.9 ± 1.37 (P value <0.5).

Conclusions

Phrenic Nerve Infiltration significantly reduced the incidence and delayed the onset of PTISP as compared to paracetamol infusion and was not associated with any adverse effects.

A systematic review and trial sequential analysis of intravenous vs. oral peri-operative paracetamol

Postoperative pain might be different after intravenous vs. oral paracetamol. We systematically reviewed randomised controlled trials in patients >15 years that compared intravenous with oral paracetamol for postoperative pain. We identified 14 trials with 1695 participants. There was inconclusive evidence for an effect of route of paracetamol administration on postoperative pain at 0–2 h (734 participants), 2–6 h (766 participants), 6–24 h (1115 participants) and >24 h (248 participants), with differences in standardised mean (95%CI) pain scores for intravenous vs. oral of −0.17 (−0.45 to 0.10), −0.09 (−0.24 to 0.06), 0.06 (−0.12 to 0.23) and 0.03 (−0.22 to 0.28), respectively. Trial sequential analyses suggested that a total of 3948 participants would be needed to demonstrate a meaningful difference in pain or its absence at 0–2 h. There were no differences in secondary outcomes. Intravenous paracetamol is more expensive than oral paracetamol. Substitution of oral paracetamol in half the patients given intravenous paracetamol in our hospital would save around £ 38,711 (€ 43,960 or US$ 47,498) per annum.

Comparison of clinical outcomes of acetaminophen IV vs PO in the peri-operative setting for laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair surgeries: A triple-blinded, randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Acetaminophen is available in a variety of modalities but there is conflicting evidence as to whether intravenous provides superior analgesia than oral formulations METHODS: A prospective, randomized, triple-blinded clinical trial was conducted in which 100 participants, scheduled for any laparoscopic unilateral hernia repair surgery in the ambulatory setting, were computer randomized to receive either 975 mg oral acetaminophen or 1000 mg of intravenous acetaminophen. The primary outcomes evaluated were post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) pain scores at arrival, 1 hour discharge, 6 hour post-op as well as total opioid use intraoperatively and in PACU. Secondary outcomes were PACU length of stay, patient reported total opioid use in the first 24 h, pain scores 24 hour post-op and patient satisfaction.

RESULTS

We found that no significant difference was appreciated between the oral and intravenous acetaminophen groups in any of the primary or secondary outcomes with the p-value of the pain score on arrival of 0.173, pain score at 1 h 0.544, pain score on discharge from PACU 0.586, pain score at 6 h 0.234, pain score at 24 h 0.133, total morphine milligram equivalents (MME) intraoperatively 0.096, total MME in PACU 0.960, time in PACU 0.15, home opioid MME 0.336, and overall patient satisfaction 0.067.

CONCLUSIONS

We concluded that in the ambulatory surgery population the efficacy of oral and intravenous acetaminophen is equivalent.

Non-opioid analgesics as adjuvants to opioid for pain management in adult patients in the ICU: A systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

To identify the impact of non-opioid analgesics as adjuvants to opioid on opioid consumption and its side effects, as well as the analgesic effectiveness in adult patients in the ICU.

METHODS

Only randomized clinical trials using non-opioid analgesics for analgesia in the ICU were included. Pooled analyses with 95% CI were determined.

RESULTS

Twelve studies (mainly surgical and Guillain-Barre syndrome patients) were included. Non-opioid analgesics as adjuvants to opioid were associated with a significant reduction in the consumption of opioids when compared with opioid use alone at Day 1 (MD -15.40; 95% CI -22.41 to -8.39; P < .001) and Day 2 (MD -22.93; 95% CI -27.70 to -18.16; P < .001). Non-opioid analgesics as adjuvants to opioid were associated with a significantly lower incidence of nausea and vomiting when compared with opioid use alone (RR 0.46; 95% CI 0.30 to 0.68; P < .001). Non-opioid analgesics as adjuvants to opioid significantly decreased the pain score at Day 1 (MD -0.68; 95% CI -1.28 to -0.08; P = .03) and Day 2 (MD -1.36; 95% CI -2.47 to -0.24; P = .02).

CONCLUSIONS

Non-opioid analgesics as adjuvants to opioid reduced the consumption and the side effects of opioids in adult surgical and Guillain-Barre syndrome patients in the ICU.

TRIAL REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO international prospective register of systematic reviews on January 23, 2017, registration number CRD42017055768.

A Review of Adjunctive Therapies for Burn Injury Pain During the Opioid Crisis

Opioids are the mainstay of pain management after burn injury. The United States currently faces an epidemic of opioid overuse and abuse, while simultaneously experiencing a nationwide shortage of intravenous narcotics. Adjunctive pain management therapies must be sought and utilized to reduce the use of opioids in burn care to prevent the long-term negative effects of these medications and to minimize the dependence on opioids for analgesia. The purpose of this review was to identify literature on adjunctive pain management therapies that have been demonstrated to reduce pain severity or opioid consumption in adult burn patients. Three databases were searched for prospective studies, randomized controlled trials, and systematic reviews that evaluated adjunctive pain management strategies published between 2008 and 2019 in adult burn patients. Forty-six studies were analyzed, including 24 randomized controlled trials, six crossover trials, and 10 systematic reviews. Various adjunctive pain management therapies showed statistically significant reduction in pain severity. Only one randomized controlled trial on music therapy for acute background pain showed a reduction in opioid use. One cohort study on hypnosis demonstrated reduced opioid use compared with historical controls. We recommend the development of individualized analgesic regimens with the incorporation of adjunctive therapies in order to improve burn pain management in the midst of an abuse crisis and concomitant national opioid shortage.

Intravenous Acetaminophen-Induced Hypotension: A Review of the Current Literature

Objective: Recent literature suggests that intravenous (IV) administration may cause hypotension in hospitalized patients; data further suggest that this effect is most pronounced in the critically ill. The purpose of this review is to identify and evaluate current literature that addresses the incidence and implications of IV acetaminophen-induced hypotension. Data Sources: A literature search of MEDLINE, Cochrane, and EMBASE databases was performed (2002-2019) using the following terms: acetaminophen, paracetamol, intravenous, and hypotension. Abstracts and peer-reviewed publications were reviewed. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Relevant English-language studies conducted in humans evaluating the hemodynamic effects of IV acetaminophen were considered. Data Synthesis: A majority of the 19 studies included in this review identified a statistically significant drop in hemodynamic variables after the administration of 500 to 1000 mg IV acetaminophen as measured by changes in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, or mean arterial pressure. Of the trials reporting vasopressor use, the authors found a significant increase in vasopressor requirements following IV acetaminophen administration. Relevance to Patient Care and Clinical Practice: This review represents the first comprehensive review of IV acetaminophen-induced hypotension. The findings raise the question of whether IV acetaminophen is an appropriate choice for inpatient pain or temperature management in the critically ill. Conclusions: Available evidence indicates that the administration of IV acetaminophen may be harmful in the critically ill. Additional monitoring is likely required when using IV acetaminophen in this specific population, particularly if a patient is hemodynamically unstable prior to administration.

Enhanced Recovery Programs in Outpatient Surgery

Although enhanced recovery pathways were initially implemented in inpatients, their principles are relevant in the ambulatory setting. Opioid minimization and addressing pain and nausea through multimodal analgesia, regional anesthesia, and robust preoperative education programs are integral to the success of ambulatory enhanced recovery programs. Rather than measurements of length of stay as in traditional inpatient programs, the focus of enhanced recovery programs in ambulatory surgery should be on improved quality of recovery, pain management, and early ambulation.

Effect of Intravenous Acetaminophen vs Placebo Combined With Propofol or Dexmedetomidine on Postoperative Delirium Among Older Patients Following Cardiac Surgery: The DEXACET Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance

Postoperative delirium is common following cardiac surgery and may be affected by choice of analgesic and sedative.

Objective

To evaluate the effect of postoperative intravenous (IV) acetaminophen (paracetamol) vs placebo combined with IV propofol vs dexmedetomidine on postoperative delirium among older patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Design, Setting, and Participants

Randomized, placebo-controlled, factorial clinical trial among 120 patients aged 60 years or older undergoing on-pump coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery or combined CABG/valve surgeries at a US center. Enrollment was September 2015 to April 2018, with follow-up ending in April 2019.

Interventions

Patients were randomized to 1 of 4 groups receiving postoperative analgesia with IV acetaminophen or placebo every 6 hours for 48 hours and postoperative sedation with dexmedetomidine or propofol starting at chest closure and continued for up to 6 hours (acetaminophen and dexmedetomidine: n = 29; placebo and dexmedetomidine: n = 30; acetaminophen and propofol: n = 31; placebo and propofol: n = 30).

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was incidence of postoperative in-hospital delirium by the Confusion Assessment Method. Secondary outcomes included delirium duration, cognitive decline, breakthrough analgesia within the first 48 hours, and ICU and hospital length of stay.

Results

Among 121 patients randomized (median age, 69 years; 19 women [15.8%]), 120 completed the trial. Patients treated with IV acetaminophen had a significant reduction in delirium (10% vs 28% placebo; difference, -18% [95% CI, -32% to -5%]; P = .01; HR, 2.8 [95% CI, 1.1-7.8]). Patients receiving dexmedetomidine vs propofol had no significant difference in delirium (17% vs 21%; difference, -4% [95% CI, -18% to 10%]; P = .54; HR, 0.8 [95% CI, 0.4-1.9]). There were significant differences favoring acetaminophen vs placebo for 3 prespecified secondary outcomes: delirium duration (median, 1 vs 2 days; difference, -1 [95% CI, -2 to 0]), ICU length of stay (median, 29.5 vs 46.7 hours; difference, -16.7 [95% CI, -20.3 to -0.8]), and breakthrough analgesia (median, 322.5 vs 405.3 µg morphine equivalents; difference, -83 [95% CI, -154 to -14]). For dexmedetomidine vs propofol, only breakthrough analgesia was significantly different (median, 328.8 vs 397.5 µg; difference, -69 [95% CI, -155 to -4]; P = .04). Fourteen patients in both the placebo-dexmedetomidine and acetaminophen-propofol groups (46% and 45%) and 7 in the acetaminophen-dexmedetomidine and placebo-propofol groups (24% and 23%) had hypotension.

Conclusions and Relevance

Among older patients undergoing cardiac surgery, postoperative scheduled IV acetaminophen, combined with IV propofol or dexmedetomidine, reduced in-hospital delirium vs placebo. Additional research, including comparison of IV vs oral acetaminophen and other potentially opioid-sparing analgesics, on the incidence of postoperative delirium is warranted.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02546765.

A randomized controlled trial of postoperative intravenous acetaminophen plus thoracic epidural analgesia vs. thoracic epidural analgesia alone after gastrectomy for gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

Acetaminophen is used in multimodal therapy for postoperative pain management. However, the additional effects of acetaminophen in combination with thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) are not well understood. This prospective, multicenter randomized study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of routine intravenous (i.v.) acetaminophen in combination with TEA for the management of postoperative pain in gastric cancer surgery.

METHODS

A total of 120 patients who underwent distal gastrectomy were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive i.v. acetaminophen every 6 h and TEA during the first 3 postoperative days (acetaminophen group) or TEA alone (control group). The primary endpoint was the sum of TEA rescue doses during the first 2 postoperative days.

RESULTS

Final analysis included 58 patients in the acetaminophen group and 56 patients in the control group. The median number of TEA rescue doses was significantly lower in the acetaminophen group compared with the control group (3.0 vs. 8.0, p = 0.013). The median area under the curve (AUC) of the pain scores at coughing was significantly less in the acetaminophen group compared with the control group (285 vs. 342, p = 0.046) without an increase in postoperative complications. TEA rescue doses and pain score AUCs were significantly reduced by acetaminophen in patients who underwent open gastrectomy (p = 0.037 and 0.045), whereas there was no significant difference between patients who underwent laparoscopic gastrectomy in the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In gastric cancer surgery patients, routine i.v. acetaminophen in combination with TEA provides superior postoperative pain management compared with TEA alone.

Intravenous Acetaminophen Improves Outcomes After Transapical Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

OBJECTIVE

Complications with opioid-based postoperative pain management have led to guideline recommendations for a multimodal analgesia strategy incorporating nonopioid agents. We evaluated the opioid-sparing effect of intravenous acetaminophen in patients undergoing transapical transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

METHODS

A multimodal pain management strategy that incorporated intravenous acetaminophen was retrospectively evaluated in 43 patients undergoing transapical transcatheter aortic valve replacement between November 2012 and March 2014. Before intravenous acetaminophen formulary availability, 23 patients received standard postoperative pain management interventions including intravenous narcotics and oral narcotics/acetaminophen. After intravenous acetaminophen availability, 20 patients received intravenous acetaminophen (4 g/d, ≥4 doses) and supplemental intravenous and nonacetaminophen oral narcotics. Daily narcotic dose (standardized to morphine equivalents), drug cost, and hospital length of stay were compared between groups.

RESULTS

Baseline characteristics were similar between intravenous acetaminophen (n = 20) and nonintravenous acetaminophen (n = 23) patients including the Society of Thoracic Surgery mortality risk (10.5% vs 9.0%, P = 0.3). The median number of intravenous acetaminophen doses was 6.5 (interquartile range = 4.0-18.5), with a median cost per patient of US $221 (interquartile range = $136-$629). Patients who received intravenous acetaminophen used significantly fewer morphine equivalents on postoperative day 0 compared with patients not receiving intravenous acetaminophen (22.5 vs 45.0 morphine equivalents, P = 0.03) and had a shorter median length of stay (5.0 vs 7.0 days, P = 0.007). After adjusting for the Society of Thoracic Surgery risk, intravenous acetaminophen continued to be associated with a reduction in median postoperative length of stay [-1.9 days (95% confidence interval = -0.9 to -8.2 days), P = 0.049].

CONCLUSIONS

In patients undergoing transapical transcatheter aortic valve replacement, a multimodal pain management strategy incorporating intravenous acetaminophen was associated with reductions in narcotic use on the day of surgery and overall length of stay.

Reduced length of stay and hospitalization costs among inpatient hysterectomy patients with postoperative pain management including IV versus oral acetaminophen

OBJECTIVE

To compare the outcomes of hysterectomy patients who received standard pain management including IV acetaminophen (IV APAP) versus oral APAP.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of the Premier Database (January 2012 to September 2015) comparing hysterectomy patients who received postoperative pain management including IV APAP to those who received oral APAP starting on the day of surgery and continuing up to the third post-operative day, with no exclusions based on additional pain management. We compared the groups on length of stay (LOS), hospitalization costs, and average daily morphine equivalent dose (MED). The quarterly rate of IV APAP use for all hospitalizations by hospital was used as an instrumental variable in two-stage least squares regressions also adjusting for patient demographics, clinical risk factors, and hospital characteristics.

RESULTS

We identified 22,828 hysterectomy patients including 14,811 (65%) who had received IV APAP. Study subjects averaged 50 and 52 years of age, respectively in the IV APAP and oral APAP cohorts and were predominantly non-Hispanic Caucasians (≥60% in both cohorts). Instrumental variable models found IV APAP associated with 0.8 days shorter hospitalization (95% CI: -0.92 to -0.68, p<0.0001) and $2,449 lower hospitalization costs (95% CI: -$2,902 to -$1,996, p<0.0001). Average daily MED trended lower without statistical significance (-1.41 mg, 95% CI: -3.43 mg to 0.61 mg, p = 0.17).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to oral APAP, managing post-hysterectomy pain with IV APAP is associated with shorter LOS and lower total hospitalization costs.

A Preliminary Examination of the Comparative Efficacy of Intravenous vs Oral Acetaminophen in the Treatment of Perioperative Pain

Objective

The management of postoperative pain is a major health care issue. While the cost of intravenous acetaminophen (IVA) is significantly greater than its oral acetaminophen (OA) counterpart, less is known regarding comparative effectiveness of these routes. The purpose of this study was to determine whether perioperative IVA is equivalent in reducing postoperative pain compared with perioperative OA for laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LapChole).

Design

Double-blinded, prospective, randomized placebo-controlled trial.

Setting

Womack Army Medical Center, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Subjects

Adults (age > 18 years) active duty military, veterans, and beneficiaries receiving a laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Methods

This study was conducted at Womack Army Medical Center (WAMC), Fort Bragg, North Carolina, between January 2013 and June 2015. Sixty-seven subjects with symptomatic cholelithiasis were randomly assigned to receive two doses (1,000 mg each) of either IVA or OA. A numerical rating scale (NRS) score of pain was obtained preoperatively and every six hours for 24 hours postoperation. The primary objective was to assess whether treatment groups had significantly different 24-hour postoperative sum of pain intensity differences (SPID24) using an analysis of covariance test.

Results

Sixty subjects completed the study and were included in the analysis. Treatment groups did not differ in SPID24, even when controlling for age, gender, and preoperative pain levels (F(1,55) = 0.39, P = 0.54, partial η2 = 0.007), nor did 24-hour opioid consumption when controlling for age, gender, and operation time (F(1, 46) = 0.47, P = 0.50, partial η2 = 0.01). Furthermore, treatment groups were equally as likely to report average postoperative NRS scores of 4 or higher (β = 0.24, Exp(B) = 1.28, P = 0.68).

Conclusions

The results show no evidence of differences between IVA or OA in pain or opioid consumption among a sample of patients undergoing LapChole. Due to low sample size, these descriptive findings warrant larger studies, which may have a significant economic impact.

Intravenous Versus Oral Acetaminophen for Pain Control in Neurocritical Care Patients

BACKGROUND

Acetaminophen (APAP) is used in neurocritical care (NCC) patients for analgesia without sedation or antiplatelet activity. Research suggests that intravenous (IV) APAP produces earlier and higher serum levels compared to oral (PO) APAP. This retrospective study evaluates the associated analgesic effects of IV and PO APAP and use of adjunctive opioids in NCC patients with moderate-severe pain.

METHODS

Patients admitted to the neuroscience intensive care unit (NSICU) between May 2012 and April 2013 who received ≥1 dose of IV APAP were included in the study. IV and PO APAP doses administered with a predose pain score ≥4 within 1 h of dosing were compared. Pain intensity difference (PID) was calculated as the change between the pain score prior to each dose and scores at 30 min, 1, 2, 3, and 6 h postdose. Pre- and postdose morphine milligram equivalents (MME) were also calculated.

RESULTS

309 NSICU patients received 459 doses of IV and 440 doses of PO APAP meeting our inclusion criteria. The PID at 30 min postdosing was significantly higher among those receiving IV APAP compared to those receiving PO APAP (p = 0.003). No significant difference in PID was seen at 1, 2, 3, and 6 h; and there was no significant difference in pre- or postdose MME between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

IV APAP was more effective than PO APAP at relieving pain within 30 min of dosing, but this difference was not sustained over 6 h. Further studies are needed to assess the benefits of this rapid onset of action.

The Role of a Standardized Clinical Care Pathway in Patient Satisfaction and Quality of Life Outcomes after Robotic Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy

INTRODUCTION

Clinical care pathways reduce length of stay, variability in practice and costs, yet avoid compromising quality of care or increasing complications. In this study we describe a standardized care pathway, focusing on preoperative and postoperative education as well as immediate postoperative patient care after robotic assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.

METHODS

A standardized robotic assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy care pathway was introduced at our institution in July 2014. A total of 108 men who underwent robotic assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy during 2014 were enrolled in this retrospective chart review and were subsequently mailed a quality of life survey. Data regarding length of stay and number of unplanned calls to the urology office or visits to the emergency department were collected from the chart review. The mailed survey was composed of original questions as well as questions adapted from the FACT-P (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Prostate). Patients who underwent robotic assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy between January and June 2014 were compared to those who underwent the same surgery between July and December 2014.

RESULTS

Demographically the 2 cohorts of men who underwent robotic assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy were similar. There was a significant reduction in postoperative length of stay in the post-care pathway cohort. Hospital readmissions were reduced by 75%. Despite earlier discharge home, there was no difference in the number of postoperative calls to the urology office or visits to the emergency department, or in overall patient satisfaction.

CONCLUSIONS

The implementation of a standardized care pathway for patients undergoing robotic assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy at our institution resulted in a reduced postoperative length of stay and readmission rate. Despite a more rapid discharge from the hospital, patient satisfaction and postoperative quality of life were not negatively impacted.

Postoperative opioid sparing with injectable hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin-diclofenac: pooled analysis of data from two Phase III clinical trials

Purpose

Use of nonopioid analgesics (including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) for postoperative pain management can reduce opioid consumption and potentially prevent opioid-related adverse events. This study examined the postoperative opioid-sparing effect of repeated-dose injectable diclofenac formulated with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD)-diclofenac.

Patients and methods

Pooled data from two double-blind, randomized, placebo- and active comparator-controlled Phase III trials were analyzed. Patients received HPβCD-diclofenac, placebo, or ketorolac by intravenous injection every 6 hours for up to 5 days following abdominal/pelvic or orthopedic surgery. Rescue opioid use was evaluated from the time of first study drug administration to up to 120 hours following the first dose in the overall study population and in subgroups defined by baseline pain severity, age, and HPβCD-diclofenac dose.

Results

Overall, 608 patients received ≥1 dose of study medication and were included in the analysis. While 93.2% of patients receiving placebo required opioids, the proportion of patients requiring opioids was significantly lower for patients receiving HPβCD-diclofenac (18.75, 37.5, or 50 mg) or ketorolac (P<0.005 for all comparisons). Mean cumulative opioid dose and number of doses were significantly lower among patients receiving HPβCD-diclofenac versus placebo for the 0–24 through 0–120 hour time periods (P<0.0001), as well as versus ketorolac for the 0–72 through 0–120 hour time periods (P<0.05). HPβCD-diclofenac significantly reduced opioid consumption versus placebo in subgroups based on baseline pain severity (moderate, severe) and age (<65 years, ≥65 years) from the 0–24 hour period onward. When compared to ketorolac, HPβCD-diclofenac also significantly reduced cumulative opioid consumption among patients with moderate baseline pain (0–72 through 0–120 hours) and opioid dose number among patients ≥65 years old (0–24 through 0–120 hours).

Conclusion

HPβCD-diclofenac can reduce postoperative opioid requirements. As this analysis was not powered to compare opioid-related adverse event rates, follow-up studies examining the clinical impact of HPβCD-diclofenac’s opioid sparing are warranted.

Management of Postoperative Pain: A Clinical Practice Guideline From the American Pain Society, the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, and the American Society of Anesthesiologists' Committee on Regional Anesthesia, Executive Committee, and Administrative Council

Most patients who undergo surgical procedures experience acute postoperative pain, but evidence suggests that less than half report adequate postoperative pain relief. Many preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative interventions and management strategies are available for reducing and managing postoperative pain. The American Pain Society, with input from the American Society of Anesthesiologists, commissioned an interdisciplinary expert panel to develop a clinical practice guideline to promote evidence-based, effective, and safer postoperative pain management in children and adults. The guideline was subsequently approved by the American Society for Regional Anesthesia. As part of the guideline development process, a systematic review was commissioned on various aspects related to various interventions and management strategies for postoperative pain. After a review of the evidence, the expert panel formulated recommendations that addressed various aspects of postoperative pain management, including preoperative education, perioperative pain management planning, use of different pharmacological and nonpharmacological modalities, organizational policies, and transition to outpatient care. The recommendations are based on the underlying premise that optimal management begins in the preoperative period with an assessment of the patient and development of a plan of care tailored to the individual and the surgical procedure involved. The panel found that evidence supports the use of multimodal regimens in many situations, although the exact components of effective multimodal care will vary depending on the patient, setting, and surgical procedure. Although these guidelines are based on a systematic review of the evidence on management of postoperative pain, the panel identified numerous research gaps. Of 32 recommendations, 4 were assessed as being supported by high-quality evidence, and 11 (in the areas of patient education and perioperative planning, patient assessment, organizational structures and policies, and transitioning to outpatient care) were made on the basis of low-quality evidence.

PERSPECTIVE

This guideline, on the basis of a systematic review of the evidence on postoperative pain management, provides recommendations developed by a multidisciplinary expert panel. Safe and effective postoperative pain management should be on the basis of a plan of care tailored to the individual and the surgical procedure involved, and multimodal regimens are recommended in many situations.

Patient satisfaction with intravenous acetaminophen: a pooled analysis of five randomized, placebo-controlled studies in the acute postoperative setting

Intravenous (IV) acetaminophen has been shown to reduce postoperative pain and opioid consumption, which may lead to increased patient satisfaction. To determine the effect IV acetaminophen has on patient satisfaction, a pooled analysis from methodologically homogenous studies was conducted. We obtained patient-level data from five randomized, placebo-controlled studies in adults undergoing elective surgery in which patient satisfaction was measured using a 4-point categorical rating scale. The primary endpoint was "excellent" satisfaction and the secondary endpoint was "good" or "excellent" satisfaction at 24 hr after first study drug administration. Bivariate analyses were conducted using the chi-square test and Student's t-test and multivariable analyses were conducted using logistic regression analysis. Patients receiving IV acetaminophen were more than twice as likely as those who received placebo to report "excellent" patient satisfaction ratings (32.3% vs. 15.9%, respectively). Of all variables that remained statistically significant in the multivariable analysis (i.e., type of surgery, duration of anesthesia, last pain rating, and opioid consumption), IV acetaminophen had the strongest positive effect on "excellent" patient satisfaction with an odds ratio of 2.76 (95% CI 1.81-4.23). Results for "excellent" or "good" satisfaction were similar. When given as part of a perioperative analgesic regimen, IV acetaminophen was associated with significantly improved patient satisfaction.

Effect of Intravenous Acetaminophen on Postoperative Opioid Consumption in Adult Orthopedic Surgery Patients

Background: Postoperative pain is managed with opioids, which are associated with adverse effects. The efficacy of intravenous (IV) acetaminophen in reducing opioid consumption has been studied with inconsistent results. The primary outcome of this study was to assess the effect of IV acetaminophen on opioid consumption 24 hours postoperatively. Secondary outcomes included the opiate consumption at 48 hours after the operation, opioid-related side effects 72 hours after the operation, discharge disposition, and length of stay. Methods: This was an IRB-approved, retrospective cohort study including adult patients who underwent an elective total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Patients were stratified into IV and no IV acetaminophen groups; patients who had received at least one dose of IV acetaminophen were included in the IV acetaminophen group. Total opioids were collected, converted to morphine equivalents, and compared between groups. Patients were excluded for alcohol abuse, substance abuse treatment, non-elective TKA, or medication mischarting. Results: Of the 161 patients evaluated, 148 patients were included: 86 in the IV acetaminophen and 62 in the no IV acetaminophen group. There were no differences in mean morphine equivalents between groups postoperatively at 24 hours (54.2 ± 35.9 mg vs 45.4 ± 30.2 mg; p = .12) and 48 hours (99.2 ± 68.7 mg vs 79.5 ± 49.1 mg; p = .06). There were no differences in secondary outcomes (administration of bowel regimen medications, antiemetics, naloxone, discharge disposition, or length of stay) between the groups. Conclusion: The use of IV acetaminophen was not associated with a decrease in opiate use, opiate-related side effects, or any secondary outcomes in patients who underwent TKA.

Intravenous acetaminophen analgesia after cardiac surgery: A randomized, blinded, controlled superiority trial

BACKGROUND

Pain after cardiac surgery traditionally has been controlled by intravenous opioids and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs. An intravenous analgesic with fewer adverse effects is needed. Therefore, we tested the primary hypothesis that intravenous acetaminophen is more effective than placebo for pain management, which was defined a priori as superior on either pain intensity score and/or opioid consumption and not worse on either.

METHODS

In this single-center, double-blind trial, 147 patients having cardiac surgery via median sternotomy were randomized to receive either 1 g of intravenous acetaminophen (73 patients) every 6 hours for 24 hours or comparable placebo (74 patients) starting in the operating room after sternal closure. Cumulative opioid consumption (in morphine equivalents) and pain intensity scores (on a 0-10 Numeric Rating Scale) were measured at 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 hours after surgery. We estimated ratio of mean opioid consumption by using multivariable linear regression (noninferiority delta = 1.15) and pain score difference by using repeated measures regression (noninferiority delta = 1).

RESULTS

Acetaminophen was superior to placebo on mean pain intensity scores and noninferior on opioid consumption, with estimated difference in mean pain (95% confidence interval) of -0.90 (-1.39, -0.42), P < .001 (superior), and estimated ratio of means in opioid consumption (90% confidence interval) of 0.89 (0.73-1.10), P = .28 (noninferior; not superior).

CONCLUSIONS

Intravenous acetaminophen reduced pain after cardiac surgery, but not opioid consumption. Intravenous acetaminophen can be an effective analgesic adjunct in patients recovering from median sternotomy.

Intravenous Acetaminophen as an Adjunct Analgesic in Cardiac Surgery Reduces Opioid Consumption But Not Opioid-Related Adverse Effects: A Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVES

The authors hypothesized that intravenous acetaminophen as an adjunct analgesic would significantly decrease 24-hour postoperative opioid consumption.

DESIGN

Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

SETTING

A single academic medical center.

PARTICIPANTS

The study was comprised of 68 adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

INTERVENTIONS

Patients were assigned randomly to receive either 1,000 mg of intravenous acetaminophen or placebo immediately after anesthesia induction, at the end of surgery, and then every 6 hours for the first 24 hours in the intensive care unit, for a total of 6-1,000 mg doses.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The primary outcome was 24-hour postoperative opioid consumption. The secondary outcomes included 48-hour postoperative opioid consumption, incisional pain scores, opioid-related adverse effects, length of mechanical ventilation, length of intensive care unit stay, and the extent of wound hyperalgesia assessed at 24 and 48 hours postoperatively. The mean±standard deviation postoperative 24-hour opioid consumption expressed in morphine equivalents was significantly less in the acetaminophen group (45.6±29.5 mg) than in the placebo group (62.3±29.5 mg), representing a 27% reduction in opioid consumption (95% CI, 2.3-31.1 mg; p = 0.024). There were no differences in pain scores and opioid-related adverse effects between the 2 groups. A significantly greater number of patients in the acetaminophen group responded "very much" and "extremely well" when asked how their overall pain experience met their expectation (p = 0.038).

CONCLUSIONS

The administration of intravenous acetaminophen during cardiac surgery and for the first 24 hours postoperatively reduced opioid consumption and improved patient satisfaction with their overall pain experience but did not reduce opioid side effects.

IV acetaminophen: Efficacy of a single dose for postoperative pain after hip arthroplasty: subset data analysis of 2 unpublished randomized clinical trials

Inadequate control of postoperative pain after orthopedic procedures may trigger complications that increase morbidity. Multimodal analgesia is used to manage pain effectively after surgical procedures and reduce the need for rescue analgesia. Intravenous (IV) acetaminophen (OFIRMEV; Cadence Pharmaceuticals, Inc.), an analgesic that has been studied and used in the multimodal management of acute pain after major orthopedic procedures, combines the safety seen with oral and rectal formulations with a preferred route of administration. Two double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials were conducted (total 130 patients) to determine the efficacy and safety of single-dose IV acetaminophen in patients following total hip arthroplasty. Although both studies were stopped prematurely, overlap in patient populations, study design, and methodologies in the single-dose phase of these studies allowed for analysis of their results to be presented concurrently. Both trials demonstrated IV acetaminophen having greater efficacy than placebo in terms of primary endpoints [pain intensity differences from T0.5 to T3 (P < 0.05 in both studies)]. The use of IV acetaminophen also reduced the need for rescue opioid consumption, with patients receiving IV acetaminophen consuming, on average, less than half the amount of rescue medication as those receiving placebo. IV acetaminophen was effective in treating moderate-to-severe pain after total hip arthroplasty and reduced the need for rescue opioid consumption.

Postoperative Critical Care of the Adult Cardiac Surgical Patient. Part I: Routine Postoperative Care

OBJECTIVES

Cardiac surgery, including coronary artery bypass, cardiac valve, and aortic procedures, is among the most common surgical procedures performed in the United States. Successful outcomes after cardiac surgery depend on optimum postoperative critical care. The cardiac intensivist must have a comprehensive understanding of cardiopulmonary physiology and the sequelae of cardiopulmonary bypass. In this concise review, targeted at intensivists and surgeons, we discuss the routine management of the postoperative cardiac surgical patient.

DATA SOURCE AND SYNTHESIS

Narrative review of relevant English-language peer-reviewed medical literature.

CONCLUSIONS

Critical care of the cardiac surgical patient is a complex and dynamic endeavor. Adequate fluid resuscitation, appropriate inotropic support, attention to rewarming, and ventilator management are key components. Patient safety is enhanced by experienced personnel, a structured handover between the operating room and ICU teams, and appropriate transfusion strategies.

Intravenous versus Oral Acetaminophen for Pain: Systematic Review of Current Evidence to Support Clinical Decision-Making

BACKGROUND

Intravenous (IV) acetaminophen is increasingly used around the world for pain control for a variety of indications. However, it is unclear whether IV administration offers advantages over oral administration.

OBJECTIVE

To identify, summarize, and critically evaluate the literature comparing analgesic efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics for IV and oral dosage forms of acetaminophen.

DATA SOURCES

A literature search of the PubMed, Embase, and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts databases was supplemented with keyword searches of Science Direct, Wiley Library Online, and Springer Link databases for the period 1948 to November 2014. The reference lists of identified studies were searched manually.

STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION

Randomized controlled trials comparing IV and oral dosage forms of acetaminophen were included if they assessed an efficacy, safety, or pharmacokinetic outcome. For each study, 2 investigators independently extracted data (study design, population, interventions, follow-up, efficacy outcomes, safety outcomes, pharmacokinetic outcomes, and any other pertinent information) and completed risk-of-bias assessments.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Six randomized clinical trials were included. Three of the studies reported outcomes pertaining to efficacy, 4 to safety, and 4 to pharmacokinetics. No clinically significant differences in efficacy were found between the 2 dosage forms. Safety outcomes were not reported consistently enough to allow adequate assessment. No evidence was found to suggest that increased bioavailability of the IV formulation enhances efficacy outcomes. For studies reporting clinical outcomes, the results of risk-of-bias assessments were largely unclear.

CONCLUSIONS

For patients who can take an oral dosage form, no clear indication exists for preferential prescribing of IV acetaminophen. Decision-making must take into account the known adverse effects of each dosage form and other considerations such as convenience and cost. Future studies should assess multiple-dose regimens over longer periods for patients with common pain indications such as cancer, trauma, and surgery.

[Pediatric perioperative systemic pain therapy: Austrian interdisciplinary recommendations on pediatric perioperative pain management]

BACKGROUND

Many analgesics used in adult medicine are not licensed for pediatric use. Licensing limitations do not, however, justify that children are deprived of a sufficient pain therapy particularly in perioperative pain therapy. The treatment is principally oriented to the strength of the pain. Due to the degree of pain caused, intramuscular and subcutaneous injections should be avoided generally.

NON-OPIOIDS

The basis of systemic pain therapy for children are non-opioids and primarily non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). They should be used prophylactically. The NSAIDs are clearly more effective than paracetamol for acute posttraumatic and postoperative pain and additionally allow economization of opioids. Severe side effects are rare in children but administration should be carefully considered especially in cases of hepatic and renal dysfunction or coagulation disorders. Paracetamol should only be taken in pregnancy and by children when there are appropriate indications because a possible causal connection with bronchial asthma exists. To ensure a safe dosing the age, body weight, duration of therapy, maximum daily dose and dosing intervals must be taken into account. Dipyrone is used in children for treatment of visceral pain and cholic. According to the current state of knowledge the rare but severe side effect of agranulocytosis does not justify a general rejection for short-term perioperative administration.

OPIOIDS

In cases of insufficient analgesia with non-opioid analgesics, the complementary use of opioids is also appropriate for children of all age groups. They are the medication of choice for episodes of medium to strong pain and are administered in a titrated form oriented to effectiveness. If severe pain is expected to last for more than 24 h, patient-controlled anesthesia should be implemented but requires a comprehensive surveillance by nursing personnel.

KETAMINE

Ketamine is used as an adjuvant in postoperative pain therapy and is recommended for use in pediatric sedation and analgosedation.