Paracetamol and selective and non-selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for the reduction in morphine-related side-effects after major surgery: a systematic review

Detection of paracetamol by a montmorillonite-modified carbon paste sensor: A study combining MC simulation, DFT computation and electrochemical investigations

This study aims to develop a suitable electrochemical electrode through the incorporation of potassium montmorillonite (MMTK10)clay into the carbon matrix for the direct and sensitive determination of paracetamol (PAR) in pharmaceutical formulations. Electrochemical characterization of the electrodes involves the use of techniques such as cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The results reveal that the voltammetric response of PAR is linear over a wide concentration range (1.0-15 μM), with a low detection limit of 0.46 μM. Analytically, PAR recovery results were around 94%, indicating that the developed electrode is highly suitable for PAR detection in pharmaceutical formulation. Additionally, density functional theory (DFT) is employed to investigate the reactivity of PAR and explain the interaction process of PAR on the electrode surface at different pH values. A Monte Carlo simulations model is developed to provide a deeper understanding of the adsorption mechanism, particularly to comprehend molecular interactions and preferential orientations of PAR with MMT fractions at the electrode surface. Reduced Density Gradient is calculated and discussed using techniques such as Multiwfn and Visualization of Molecular Dynamics. The developed CPE-MMTK10 sensor provided a simple preparation method, rapid response, high sensitivity, reproducibility, strong selectivity, and extended stability. Moreover, there is a good correlation between most parameters calculated by DFT and experimental results, thereby reinforcing the validity of the theoretical approach in this study.

Systemic lidocaine versus erector spinae plane block for improving quality of recovery after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A randomized controlled trial

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To compare intravenous lidocaine, ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block (ESPB), and placebo on the quality of recovery and analgesia after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

DESIGN

A prospective, triple-arm, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled non-inferiority trial.

SETTING

A single tertiary academic medical center.

PATIENTS

126 adults aged 18-65 years undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

INTERVENTIONS

Patients were randomly allocated to one of three groups: intravenous lidocaine infusion (1.5 mg/kg bolus followed by 2 mg/kg/h) plus bilateral ESPB with saline (25 mL per side); bilateral ESPB with 0.25% ropivacaine (25 ml per side) plus placebo infusion; or bilateral ESPB with saline (25 ml per side) plus placebo infusion.

MEASUREMENTS

The primary outcome was the 24-h postoperative Quality of Recovery-15 (QoR-15) score. The non-inferiority of lidocaine versus ESPB was assessed with a margin of -6 points and 97.5% confidence interval (CI). Secondary outcomes included 24-h area under the curve (AUC) for pain scores, morphine consumption, and adverse events.

MAIN RESULTS

124 patients completed the study. Median (IQR) 24-h QoR-15 scores were 123 (117-127) for lidocaine, 124 (119-126) for ESPB, and 112 (108-117) for placebo. Lidocaine was non-inferior to ESPB (median difference  -1, 97.5% CI: -4 to ∞). Both lidocaine (median difference 9, 95% CI: 6-12, P < 0.001) and ESPB (median difference 10, 95% CI: 7-13, P < 0.001) were superior to placebo. AUC for pain scores and morphine use were lower with lidocaine and ESPB versus placebo (P < 0.001 for all), with no significant differences between lidocaine and ESPB. One ESPB patient reported a transient metallic taste; no other block-related complications occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

For patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy, intravenous lidocaine provides a non-inferior quality of recovery compared to ESPB without requiring specialized regional anesthesia procedures. Lidocaine may offer a practical and accessible alternative within multimodal analgesia pathways.

Postoperative Multimodal Analgesia Strategy for Enhanced Recovery After Surgery in Elderly Colorectal Cancer Patients

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols have substantially proven their merit in diminishing recuperation durations and mitigating postoperative adverse events in geriatric populations undergoing colorectal cancer procedures. Despite this, the pivotal aspect of postoperative pain control has not garnered the commensurate attention it deserves. Typically, employing a multimodal analgesia regimen that weaves together nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, opioids, local anesthetics, and nerve blocks stands paramount in curtailing surgical complications and facilitating reduced convalescence within hospital confines. Nevertheless, this integrative pain strategy is not devoid of pitfalls; the specter of organ dysfunction looms over the geriatric cohort, rooted in the abuse of analgesics or the complex interplay of polypharmacy. Revolutionary research is delving into alternative delivery and release modalities, seeking to allay the inadvertent consequences of analgesia and thereby potentially elevating postoperative outcomes for the elderly post-colorectal cancer surgery populace. This review examines the dual aspects of multimodal analgesia regimens by comparing their established benefits with potential limitations and offers insight into the evolving strategies of drug administration and release.

Transitional Pain Service: An Update

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Chronic Postsurgical Pain (CPSP) and the risk for long-term opioid dependency are known complications following major surgery. The idea of Transitional Pain Service (TPS) has been introduced as an interdisciplinary setting to manage pain in the perioperative continuum. We expand on the basic framework and principles of TPS and summarize the current evidence of the TPS and possible interventions to adress postoperative pain. Areas of future work in TPS-related research are discussed.

RECENT FINDINGS

Several studies support the effectiveness of TPS in reducing opioid consumption in the perioperative period and following discharge. Some studies also show an improvement in functional outcome with TPS with patients reporting lower pain severity and pain interference. The TPS aims to halt the progress of acute postoperative pain to CPSP by providing longitudinal support with patient-centered care. While some studies suggest a positive impact of TPS implementation in terms of reduction in postoperative opioid consumption and improvement of some functional outcomes, direct evidence in terms of reduction in the incidence of CPSP is still missing. The cost-effectiveness of TPS and the expansion of TPS through e-health services and digital applications also need to be evaluated.

Opioid analgesics for nociceptive cancer pain: A comprehensive review

Pain is one of the most burdensome symptoms in people with cancer, and opioid analgesics are considered the mainstay of cancer pain management. For this review, the authors evaluated the efficacy and toxicities of opioid analgesics compared with placebo, other opioids, nonopioid analgesics, and nonpharmacologic treatments for background cancer pain (continuous and relatively constant pain present at rest), and breakthrough cancer pain (transient exacerbation of pain despite stable and adequately controlled background pain). They found a paucity of placebo-controlled trials for background cancer pain, although tapentadol or codeine may be more efficacious than placebo (moderate-certainty to low-certainty evidence). Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs including aspirin, piroxicam, diclofenac, ketorolac, and the antidepressant medicine imipramine, may be at least as efficacious as opioids for moderate-to-severe background cancer pain. For breakthrough cancer pain, oral transmucosal, buccal, sublingual, or intranasal fentanyl preparations were identified as more efficacious than placebo but were more commonly associated with toxicities, including constipation and nausea. Despite being recommended worldwide for the treatment of cancer pain, morphine was generally not superior to other opioids, nor did it have a more favorable toxicity profile. The interpretation of study results, however, was complicated by the heterogeneity in the study populations evaluated. Given the limited quality and quantity of research, there is a need to reappraise the clinical utility of opioids in people with cancer pain, particularly those who are not at the end of life, and to further explore the effects of opioids on immune system function and quality of life in these individuals.

Intermittent intravenous paracetamol versus continuous morphine in infants undergoing cardiothoracic surgery: a multi-center randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

To determine whether intermittent intravenous (IV) paracetamol as primary analgesic would significantly reduce morphine consumption in children aged 0-3 years after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass.

METHODS

Multi-center, randomized, double-blinded, controlled trial in four level-3 Pediatric Intensive Care Units (PICU) in the Netherlands and Belgium. Inclusion period; March 2016-July 2020. Children aged 0-3 years, undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass were eligible. Patients were randomized to continuous morphine or intermittent IV paracetamol as primary analgesic after a loading dose of 100 mcg/kg morphine was administered at the end of surgery. Rescue morphine was given if numeric rating scale (NRS) pain scores exceeded predetermined cutoff values. Primary outcome was median weight-adjusted cumulative morphine dose in mcg/kg in the first 48 h postoperative. For the comparison of the primary outcome between groups, the nonparametric Van Elteren test with stratification by center was used. For comparison of the proportion of patients with one or more NRS pain scores of 4 and higher between the two groups, a non-inferiority analysis was performed using a non-inferiority margin of 20%.

RESULTS

In total, 828 were screened and finally 208 patients were included; parents of 315 patients did not give consent and 305 were excluded for various reasons. Fourteen of the enrolled 208 children were withdrawn from the study before start of study medication leaving 194 patients for final analysis. One hundred and two patients received intermittent IV paracetamol, 106 received continuous morphine. The median weight-adjusted cumulative morphine consumption in the first 48 h postoperative in the IV paracetamol group was 5 times lower (79%) than that in the morphine group (median, 145.0 (IQR, 115.0-432.5) mcg/kg vs 692.6 (IQR, 532.7-856.1) mcg/kg; P < 0.001). The rescue morphine consumption was similar between the groups (p = 0.38). Non-inferiority of IV paracetamol administration in terms of NRS pain scores was proven; difference in proportion - 3.1% (95% CI - 16.6-10.3%).

CONCLUSIONS

In children aged 0-3 years undergoing cardiac surgery, use of intermittent IV paracetamol reduces the median weight-adjusted cumulative morphine consumption in the first 48 h after surgery by 79% with equal pain relief showing equipoise for IV paracetamol as primary analgesic. Trial Registration Clinicaltrials.gov, Identifier: NCT05853263; EudraCT Number: 2015-001835-20.

Novel Targets and Drug Delivery System in the Treatment of Postoperative Pain: Recent Studies and Clinical Advancement

Pain is generated by a small number of peripheral targets. These can be made more sensitive by inflammatory mediators. The number of opioids prescribed to the patients can be reduced dramatically with better pain management. Any therapy that safely and reliably provides extended analgesia and is flexible enough to facilitate a diverse array of release profiles would be useful for improving patient comfort, quality of care, and compliance after surgical procedures. Comparisons are made between new and traditional methods, and the current state of development has been discussed; taking into account the availability of molecular and cellular level data, preclinical and clinical data, and early post-market data. There are a number of benefits associated with the use of nanotechnology in the delivery of analgesics to specific areas of the body. Nanoparticles are able to transport drugs to inaccessible bodily areas because of their small molecular size. This review focuses on targets that act specifically or primarily on sensory neurons, as well as inflammatory mediators that have been shown to have an analgesic effect as a side effect of their anti- inflammatory properties. New, regulated post-operative pain management devices that use existing polymeric systems were presented in this article, along with the areas for potential development. Analgesic treatments, both pharmacological and non-pharmacological, have also been discussed.

Hybrid Analogues of Hydrazone and Phthalimide: Design, Synthesis, In vivo, In vitro, and In silico Evaluation as Analgesic Agents

BACKGROUND

Based on the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity of hydrazone and phthalimide, a new series of hybrid hydrazone and phthalimide pharmacophores was prepared and evaluated as analgesic agents.

METHODS

The designed ligands were synthesized by reaction of the appropriate aldehydes and 2- aminophthalimide. Analgesic, cyclooxygenase inhibitory, and cytostatic activity of prepared compounds were measured.

RESULTS

All the tested ligands demonstrated significant analgesic activity. Moreover, compounds 3i and 3h were the most potent ligands in the formalin and writhing tests, respectively. Compounds 3g, 3j, and 3l were the most COX-2 selective ligands and ligand 3e was the most potent COX inhibitor with a 0.79 of COX-2 selectivity ratio. The presence of electron-withdrawing moieties with hydrogen bonding ability at the meta position was found to affect the selectivity efficiently, in which compounds 3g, 3l, and 3k showed high COX-2 selectivity, and compound 3k was the most potent one. The cytostatic activity of selected ligands demonstrated that compounds 3e, 3f, 3h, 3k, and 3m showed good analgesic and COX inhibitory activity and were less toxic than the reference drug.

CONCLUSION

High therapeutic index of these ligands is one of the valuable advantages of these compounds.

Ketamine for postoperative pain treatment in spinal surgery: Systematic review with meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis

AIM

We aimed to assess the beneficial and harmful effects of perioperative pain treatment with ketamine in patients undergoing spinal surgery.

METHODS

We searched Medline, Embase, and CENTRAL from inception until 15 February 2023 for randomised clinical trials comparing ketamine with placebo or no intervention in patients undergoing spinal surgery. The primary outcomes were cumulative opioid consumption at 24 h postoperatively and serious adverse events. We adhered to recommendations of the Cochrane Collaboration and performed meta-analysis, Trial Sequential Analysis (TSA) to assess the risks of random errors, risk of bias assessment to evaluate the risks of systematic errors, and used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE).

RESULTS

We included a total of 28 randomised clinical trials enrolling 2110 participants providing data for our pre-defined outcomes. Twenty-three trials enrolled adult participants and 5 trials enrolled paediatric participants. Three trials were at low risk of bias. Meta-analysis and TSA of trials including adults showed that ketamine versus placebo or no intervention seemed to reduce the cumulative 24-h opioid consumption (mean difference -17.57 mg; TSA-adjusted 95% confidence interval, -24.22 to -10.92; p < .01; low certainty of evidence), and there was no evidence of a difference of ketamine versus placebo or no intervention on the risk of serious adverse events (risk ratio 2.16; 96.7% confidence interval, 0.35 to 13.17; p = .36; very low certainty of evidence).

CONCLUSION

In adults undergoing spinal surgery, ketamine may reduce cumulative 24-h opioid consumption. Ketamine may increase the occurrence of serious adverse events, but the evidence was very uncertain.

Regular use of low-dose of opioids after gastrointestinal surgery may lead to postoperative gastrointestinal tract dysfunction in children: a Chinese national regional health center experience sharing

BACKGROUND

The need for pain management is increasing in pediatrics, but the side effects of overuse or abuse of analgesics can be harmful to children's health and even life-threatening in severe cases.

METHODS

Patients who underwent resection of Meckel's diverticulum at the Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from July 1, 2019, to July 1, 2022, were included in this study. Opioids were administered through patient-controlled analgesia (PCA). Based on the preoperative choices made by the legal guardians, patients were stratified into two groups: PCA Group (PCAG) and Non-PCA Group (NPCAG). Data pertaining to the clinical characteristics and prognoses of these patients were subsequently collected and analyzed to assess the impact of opioid administration.

RESULTS

In the study, a total of 126 patients were enrolled, with 72 allocated to the Patient-Controlled Analgesia Group (PCAG) and 54 to the Non-Patient-Controlled Analgesia Group (NPCAG). When compared to the NPCAG, the PCAG exhibited a longer duration of postoperative fasting (median 72 vs. 62 h, p = 0.044) and increased utilization of laxatives (12[16.7%] vs. 2[3.7%], p = 0.022). However, the PCAG also experienced higher incidences of intestinal stasis and abnormal intestinal dilation (13[18.1%] vs. 3[5.6%], p = 0.037). No statistically significant differences were observed in pain assessments at the conclusion of the surgical procedure (0 vs. 1[1.9%], p = 0.429) or within the first 24 h postoperatively (16[22.2%] vs. 18[33.3%], p = 0.164). Additionally, NPCAG patients did not necessitate increased administration of rescue analgesics (2[2.8%] vs. 4[7.4%], p = 0.432).

CONCLUSIONS

The administration of opioids did not demonstrably ameliorate postoperative pain but was associated with a heightened incidence of postoperative gastrointestinal tract dysfunction. The retrospective nature of the current research should be considered and should be clarified further.

Effect of Ketorolac Tromethamine Combined With Remifentanil on Reducing Complications During the General Anesthesia Emergence

PURPOSE

To observe the effect of ketorolac tromethamine combined with remifentanil in sedation and analgesia during general anesthesia emergence and reducing general anesthesia complications.

DESIGN

This is an experimental design.

METHODS

A total of 90 patients who underwent partial or total thyroidectomy in our hospital were selected and randomly divided into three groups with 30 cases in each group. Routine general anesthesia combined with endotracheal intubation was given for general anesthesia, and different treatments were administered when the skin was sutured. Group K: intravenous injection of ketorolac tromethamine 0.9 mg/kg, intravenous injection of normal saline 10 mL/h by micropump until awakening and extubation; R group: intravenous injection of normal saline 2 mL, micropump intravenous injection of remifentanil 0.1 mcg/kg/min until awakening and extubation; KR group: intravenous injection of ketorolac tromethamine 0.5 mg/kg, micropump intravenous injection remifentanil 0.05 mcg/kg/min until awakening and extubation. After the operation, all patients entered the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) for recovery, extubation, scoring. The incidence and condition of various complications were counted.

FINDINGS

There was no significant difference in the general information or operation duration of the patients (P > .05). The types of general anesthesia induction drugs in each group were the same, and there was no significant difference in drug measurement (P > .05). The visual analogue scales of KR group were: 2.2 ± 0.6(T0) and 2.4 ± 0.9(T1), the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale scores of the KR groups were: 4.1 ± 0.6(T0), 3.7 ± 0.4(T1). Compared with the KR group, the visual analogue scale and Self-Rating Anxiety Scale scores of the K and R groups at T0 and T1 were increased (P < .05); the visual analogue scale and Self-Rating Anxiety Scale scores of the K and R groups at T0 and T1 were not significantly different (P > .05); at T2, there was no significant difference in visual analogue scale and Self-Rating Anxiety Scale scores among the three groups (P > .05). There was no significant difference in extubation time or PACU transfer time among the three groups (P > .05). The incidence of adverse reactions in KR group were: 3.3% (nausea), 3.3% (vomit), 0 (coughing and drowsiness). Compared with the KR group, the incidence of adverse reactions was higher in the K and R groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Ketorolac tromethamine combined with remifentanil can effectively relieve pain and sedation during general anesthesia recovery and reduce the incidence of complications related to general anesthesia recovery. At the same time, the application of ketorolac tromethamine can reduce the dosage of remifentanil and inhibit the occurrence of adverse reactions when used alone.

Glucocorticoids added to paracetamol and NSAIDs for post-operative pain: A systematic review with meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis

BACKGROUND

Paracetamol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are recommended as the basic pain treatment regimen for most surgeries. Glucocorticoids have well-known anti-inflammatory and anti-emetic properties and may also demonstrate analgesic effects. We assessed benefit and harm of adding glucocorticoids to a combination of paracetamol and NSAIDs for post-operative pain management.

METHODS

We searched Embase, Medline and CENTRAL for randomised clinical trials investigating the addition of glucocorticoids versus placebo/no intervention to paracetamol and an NSAID in adults undergoing any type of surgery. We assessed three primary outcomes: cumulative opioid consumption at 24 h postoperatively, serious adverse events and pain at rest at 24 h postoperatively. We performed meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis (TSA), assessed risk of bias using the Risk of Bias 2 tool and used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach to evaluate the certainty of the evidence.

RESULTS

We identified 12 relevant trials of which nine trials randomising 804 participants were included in quantitative analysis. When added to paracetamol and NSAIDs, we found no evidence of a difference of glucocorticoids versus placebo/no intervention in cumulative opioid consumption at 24 h postoperatively (mean difference [MD] -0.28, TSA-adjusted 95% confidence interval [CI] -1.90 to 1.33, p = .68, moderate certainty of evidence), serious adverse events (risk ratio (RR) 0.99, TSA-adjusted 95% CI 0.27-3.63, p = .93, very low certainty of evidence) or pain on the Numeric Rating Scale at 24 h postoperatively (MD -0.39, TSA-adjusted 95% CI -0.84 to 0.17, p = .10, moderate certainty of evidence). All outcomes were assessed to be at high risk of bias and TSA showed that we had insufficient information for most outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Glucocorticoids added to a baseline therapy of paracetamol and an NSAID likely result in little to no difference in cumulative opioid consumption and pain at rest at 24 h postoperatively. In addition, the evidence is very uncertain about the effect on serious adverse events. For most outcomes we did not have sufficient information to draw firm conclusions and the certainty of the evidence varied from moderate to very low.

EDITORIAL COMMENT

Multimodal approaches for post-operative analgesia are favoured, including paracetamol and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. In this meta-analysis, pooled results from clinical trials are assessed to describe possible benefit of addition of glucocorticoid treatment for analgesia. The findings did not identify additional benefit, though the certainty of the evidence was not high.

Comparative Efficacy of Adjuvant Nonopioid Analgesia in Adult Cardiac Surgical Patients: A Network Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVES

To compare the relative efficacy of adjuvant nonopioid analgesic regimens in adult cardiac surgical patients.

DESIGN

This frequentist, random-effects network meta-analysis (NMA) was prospectively registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021282913) and conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses for Network Meta-Analyses (PRISMA-NMA). The risk of bias (RoB) and confidence of evidence were assessed by RoB 2 and Confidence in Network Meta-Analysis, respectively. Relevant databases were searched from inception to October 9, 2021.

SETTING

A total of 124 (N = 26,257) randomized controlled trials were included, of which 110 were analyzed.

PARTICIPANTS

Trials enrolling adults (≥18 years of age) undergoing cardiac surgery that compared nonopioid analgesics against other nonopioid analgesics, placebo, or no additional treatment, as adjuvants to standard analgesic management, and reported at least 1 of the outcomes of interest.

MEASUREMENT AND MAIN RESULTS

Outcomes of interest included resting postoperative pain scores at 24 hours. Compared with standard care and/or placebo, pain scores were reduced significantly by 10 different regimens, including acetaminophen (N = 176; mean difference [MD] -0.66 points, 95% CI -1.16 to -0.15 points; high confidence), magnesium (N = 323; -0.05 points, 95% CI -0.07 to -0.02 points; high confidence), gabapentin (N = 96; MD -0.40 points, 95% CI -0.71 to -0.09; moderate confidence), and clonidine (N = 64; MD v0.38 points, 95% CI -0.73 to v0.04 points; moderate confidence). Indomethacin, diclofenac, magnesium, and gabapentin significantly reduced 24-hour opioid consumption. Four regimens significantly decreased the intensive care unit length of stay. Hydrocortisone, dexmedetomidine, and clonidine significantly decreased the duration of mechanical ventilation. Magnesium decreased, while methylprednisolone significantly increased, the risk of myocardial infarction.

CONCLUSIONS

Given the increasing emphasis on enhanced recovery after surgery(ERAS) protocols and the eventual goal of limiting opiate prescriptions postoperatively, the authors' data suggested far greater use of nonopioid adjuncts to minimize pain and enhance recovery following cardiac surgery.

Systemic glucocorticoids as an adjunct to treatment of postoperative pain after total hip and knee arthroplasty: A systematic review with meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis

BACKGROUND

Postoperative analgesic effects of systemic glucocorticoids given as an adjunct to treatment are largely undetermined in alloplastic procedures.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the beneficial and harmful effects of peri-operative systemic glucocorticoid treatment for pain after total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

DESIGN

A systematic review of randomised clinical trials (RCTs) with meta-analyses, trial sequential analyses and GRADE. Primary outcome was 24 h intravenous (i.v.) morphine (or equivalent) consumption with a predefined minimal important difference (MID) of 5 mg. Secondary outcomes included pain at rest and during mobilisation (MID, VAS 10 mm), adverse and serious adverse events (SAEs).

DATA SOURCES

We searched EMBASE, Cochrane CENTRAL, PubMed and Google Scholar up to October 2021.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

RCTs investigating peri-operative systemic glucocorticoid versus placebo or no intervention, for analgesic pain management of patients at least 18 years undergoing planned THA or TKA, irrespective of publication date and language.

RESULTS

We included 32 RCTs with 3521 patients. Nine trials were at a low risk of bias. Meta-analyses showed evidence of a reduction in 24 h cumulative morphine consumption with glucocorticoids by 5.0 mg (95% CI 2.2 to 7.7; P  = 0.0004). Pain at rest was reduced at 6 h by 7.8 mm (95% CI 5.5 to 10.2; P  < 0.00001), and at 24 h by 6.3 mm (95% CI 3.8 to 8.8; P  < 0.00001). Pain during mobilisation was reduced at 6 h by 9.8 mm (95% CI 6.9 to 12.8; P  < 0.00001), and at 24 h by 9.0 mm (95% CI 5.5 to 12.4, P  < 0.00001). Incidence of adverse events was generally lower in the glucocorticoid treatment group. SAEs were rarely reported. The GRADE rated quality of evidence was low to very low.

CONCLUSION

Peri-operative systemic glucocorticoid treatment reduced postoperative morphine consumption to an individually relevant level following hip and knee arthroplasty. Pain levels were reduced but were below the predefined MID. The quality of evidence was generally low.

REGISTRATION

PROSPERO ID: CRD42019135034.

Pain treatment after total hip arthroplasty: Detailed statistical analysis plan for the RECIPE randomised clinical trial

BACKGROUND

The RECIPE trial systematically investigates the effects of different combinations of paracetamol, ibuprofen and dexamethasone for pain treatment after total hip arthroplasty. To preserve transparency, minimise risk of bias and to prevent data-driven analysis, we present this detailed statistical analysis plan.

METHODS

The RECIPE trial is a randomised, blinded, parallel four-group multicenter clinical trial for patients undergoing planned primary total hip arthroplasty. Interventions are initiated preoperatively and continued for 24 h postoperatively. Primary outcome is total opioid consumption 0-24 h after end of surgery. Primary analysis will be performed in the modified intention to treat population of all patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty, and all analyses will be stratified for site. We will perform pairwise comparisons between each of the four groups. The primary outcome will be analysed using the van Elteren test and we will present Hodges-Lehmann median differences and confidence intervals. Binary outcomes will be analysed using logistic regression. To preserve a family-wise error rate of <0.05, we will use a Bonferroni-adjusted alfa of 0.05/6 = 0.0083 for all six pairwise comparisons between groups when analysing the primary outcome. We will systematically assess the underlying statistical assumptions for each analysis. Data will be analysed by two blinded independent statisticians, and we will write abstracts covering all possible combinations of conclusions, before breaking the blind.

DISCUSSION

The RECIPE trial will provide important information on benefit and harm of combinations of the most frequently used non-opioid analgesics for pain after primary hip arthroplasty.

Oliceridine for the Management of Moderate to Severe Acute Postoperative Pain: A Narrative Review

Despite current advances in acute postoperative pain management, prevalence remains high. Inadequate treatment could lead to poor outcomes and even progression to chronic pain. Opioids have traditionally been the mainstay for treatment of moderate to severe acute pain. However, their use has been associated with opioid-related adverse events (ORAEs), such as respiratory depression, sedation, nausea, vomiting, pruritus, and decreased bowel motility. In addition, their liberal use has been implicated in the current opioid epidemic. As a result, there has been renewed interest in multimodal analgesia to target different mechanisms of action in order to achieve a synergistic effect and minimize opioid usage. Oliceridine is a novel mu-opioid receptor agonist that is part of a new class of biased ligands that selectively activate G-protein signaling and downregulate β-arrestin recruitment. Since G-protein signaling has been associated with analgesia while β-arrestin recruitment has been associated with ORAEs, there is potential for a wider therapeutic window. In this review, we will discuss the clinical evidence behind oliceridine and its potential role in acute postoperative pain management. We have systematically searched the PubMed database using the keywords oliceridine, olinvyk, and trv130. All articles identified were reviewed and evaluated, and all clinical trials were included.

Effect of Standing Intravenous Acetaminophen on Postoperative Opioid Exposure in a Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit

This study assessed the association between standing intravenous acetaminophen and opioid exposure after cardiac surgery. Before vs after implementation of a standardized pain pathway, we report decreased opioid exposure, 0.38 milligram per kilogram of morphine equivalents [IQR 0.10-0.81] vs 0.26 milligram per kilogram of morphine equivalents [0.09-0.56] (P = .01) and increased acetaminophen exposure, 3 [2-4] vs 4 [4-5] doses (P < .001).

Opioid Coprescribing with Sedatives after Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction

BACKGROUND

Skeletal muscle relaxants and benzodiazepines are thought to mitigate against postoperative muscle contraction. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration warn against coprescribing them with opioids because of increased risks of overdose and death. The authors evaluated the frequency of coprescribing of opioids with skeletal muscle relaxants or benzodiazepines after implant-based reconstruction.

METHODS

The authors examined health care claims to identify women (18 to 64 years old) who underwent implant-based breast reconstruction between January of 2008 and June of 2019 to determine the frequency of coprescribing, factors associated with coprescribing opioids and skeletal muscle relaxants or benzodiazepines, and the impact on opioid refills within 90 days of reconstruction.

RESULTS

A total of 86.7 percent of women ( n = 7574) who had implant-based breast reconstruction filled an opioid prescription perioperatively. Of these, 27.7 percent of women filled prescriptions for opioids and benzodiazepines, 14.4 percent for opioids and skeletal muscle relaxants, and 2.4 percent for opioids, benzodiazepines, and skeletal muscle relaxants. Risk factors for coprescribing opioids and benzodiazepines included use of acellular dermal matrix, immediate reconstruction, and history of anxiety. Women who filled prescriptions for opioids and skeletal muscle relaxants, opioids and benzodiazepines, and opioids with skeletal muscle relaxants and benzodiazepines were significantly more likely to refill opioid prescriptions, even when controlling for preoperative opioid exposure.

CONCLUSIONS

Nearly half of women filled an opioid prescription with a benzodiazepine, skeletal muscle relaxant, or both after implant-based breast reconstruction. Coprescribing of opioids with skeletal muscle relaxants may potentiate opioid use after surgery and should be avoided given the risks of sedation. Identifying strategies that avoid sedatives to manage pain after breast reconstruction is critical to mitigate high-risk prescribing practices.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Risk, III.

Risk of serious adverse events associated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in orthopaedic surgery. A protocol for a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Postoperative pain is a common condition following orthopaedic surgeries and causes prolonged hospitalisation, delayed rehabilitation and hamper the quality of life. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are effective analgesics and anti-inflammatory mediators in the treatment of postoperative pain. The association of NSAIDs with serious adverse events may however keep some clinicians and clinical decision makers from using NSAIDs perioperatively. The evidence regarding the risks of serious adverse events following perioperative use of NSAIDs in orthopaedic surgery is sparse and needs to be assessed in a systematic review. This is a protocol for a systematic review that aims to identify the risks of serious adverse events from perioperative use of NSAIDs in orthopaedic patients.

METHODS

Our methodology is based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols and the eight-step assessment procedure suggested by Jakobsen and colleagues. We wish to assess if NSAIDs versus placebo, usual care or no intervention, will influence the risks of serious adverse events in patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery. We will include all randomised trials assessing the use of NSAIDs perioperatively. To identify trials we will search the Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online, Excerpta Medica database, Cochrane Central Register, Science Citation Index Expanded on Web of Science and BIOSIS. Two authors will screen the literature and extract data. We will use the 'Risk of Bias 2 tool' to assess trials. Extracted data will be analysed using RStudio and Trial Sequential Analysis. We will create a 'Summary of Findings' table in which we will present our primary and secondary outcomes. We will assess the quality of evidence using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE).

DISCUSSION

This systematic review can potentially aid clinicians and clinical decision makers in the use of NSAIDs for treatment of postoperative pain following orthopaedic surgeries.

A Multimodal Pain Management Regimen for Open Treatment of Distal Radius Fractures: A Randomized Blinded Study

BACKGROUND

Adequate pain control is critical after outpatient surgery where patients are not as closely monitored. A multimodal pain management regimen was compared to a conventional pain management method in patients undergoing operative fixation for distal radius fractures. We hypothesized that there would be a decrease in the amount of narcotics used by the multimodal group compared to the conventional pain management group, and that there would be no difference in bone healing postoperatively.

METHODS

Forty-two patients were randomized into 2 groups based on pain protocols. Group 1, the control, received a regional block, acetaminophen, and oxycodone. Group 2 received a multimodal pain regimen consisting of daily doses of pregabalin, celecoxib, and acetaminophen up until postoperative day (POD) #3. They also received a regional block with oxycodone for breakthrough pain.

RESULTS

From POD#3 to week 1, there was a significant increase in oxycodone use in the study group correlating with the point in time when the multimodal regimen was discontinued. The shortened Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire (QuickDASH) scores taken at 2 weeks postoperation showed a significantly lower average score in the study group compared to the control. There was no difference in bone healing.

CONCLUSIONS

The 2 regimens yielded similar pain control after surgery. The rebound increase in narcotic use after the multimodal regimen was discontinued, and significant difference in QuickDASH scores seen at 2 weeks postoperatively supported that multimodal regimens may not necessarily lead to decreased narcotic use in outpatient upper extremity surgery, but in the short term are shown to improve functional status.

Multimodal Pain Management in Orthopedic Surgery

Background: Orthopedic surgery typically results in moderate to severe pain in a majority of patients. Opioids were traditionally the primary medication to target mechanisms of pain transmission. Multimodal analgesia has become a preferred method of pain management in orthopedic practice. Utilizing more than one mode to address post-surgical pain by recruiting multiple receptors through different medications accelerates the recovery process and decreases the need for opioids. By implementing effective analgesic techniques and interventions, this practice, in turn, decreases the usage of perioperative opioids, and in the long term, prevents addiction to pain medications and risk of opioid overdose. In orthopedic surgeries, previous studies have found that multimodal analgesia has reduced early opioid usage in the postoperative course. Pain is the result of direct injury to the nervous system, with a wide variety of chemicals directly stimulating or sensitizing the peripheral nociceptors. The pathophysiology behind the mechanism of post-surgical pain, along with the importance of preoperative, perioperative, and postoperative pain regimens are emphasized. A brief overview of pain medications and their properties is provided. These medications are further categorized, with information on special considerations and typical dosage requirements. Pain management should address both neuropathic and subjective types of pain. Effective pain control requires constant reassessment with individualized strategies. Conclusion: By focusing on multimodal analgesia, anesthesiologists can now utilize newer techniques for postoperative pain relief from orthopedic surgery, with better short-term and long-term outcomes for the patient.

Paracetamol, ibuprofen and dexamethasone for pain treatment after total hip arthroplasty: protocol for the randomised, placebo-controlled, parallel 4-group, blinded, multicentre RECIPE trial

INTRODUCTION

Multimodal analgesia with paracetamol, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug and glucocorticoid is recommended for hip arthroplasty, but with uncertain effects of the different combinations. We aim to investigate benefit and harm of different combinations of paracetamol, ibuprofen and dexamethasone following total hip arthroplasty.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

RECIPE is a randomised, placebo-controlled, parallel 4-group, blinded trial with 90-day and 1-year follow-up performed at nine Danish hospitals. Interventions are initiated preoperatively and continued for 24 hours postoperatively. Eligible participants undergoing total hip arthroplasty are randomised to:group A: oral paracetamol 1000 mg × 4+oral ibuprofen 400 mg × 4+intravenous placebo; group B: oral paracetamol 1000 mg × 4+intravenous dexamethasone 24 mg+oral placebo; group C: oral ibuprofen 400 mg × 4+intravenous dexamethasone 24 mg+oral placebo; group D: oral paracetamol 1000 mg × 4+oral ibuprofen 400 mg × 4+intravenous dexamethasone 24 mg.Primary outcome is cumulative opioid consumption at 0-24 hours. Secondary outcomes are pain at rest, during mobilisation and during a 5 m walk and adverse events. Follow-up includes serious adverse events and patient reported outcome measures at 90 days and 1 year. A total of 1060 participants are needed to demonstrate a difference of 8 mg in 24-hour morphine consumption assuming an SD of 24.5 mg, a risk of type I errors of 0.0083 and a risk of type 2 errors of 0.2. Primary analysis will be a modified intention-to-treat analysis.With this trial we aim to verify recommendations for pain treatment after total hip arthroplasty, and investigate the role of dexamethasone as an analgesic adjuvant to paracetamol and ibuprofen.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This trial is approved by the Region Zealand Committee on Health Research Ethics (SJ-799). Plans for dissemination include publication in peer-reviewed journals and presentation at scientific meetings.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT04123873.

Impact of a prescriber and patient educational intervention on discharge analgesia prescribing and hospital readmission rates following elective unilateral total hip and knee arthroplasty

Introduction

Pain management after elective, unilateral total hip and knee arthroplasty (THA and TKA) should use a multimodal approach. At discharge, challenges include ensuring correct prescribing practices to optimise analgesia and rationalise opioid use as well as ensuring patients are adequately educated to take these medications safely and effectively in the community. This audit cycle reports on a prescriber and patient education intervention using printed guidelines, educational outreach and prescription standardisation along with a patient information sheet to address the high unplanned readmission rate following THA and TKA at our institution.

Methods

Two cohorts of patients were identified before (2016) and after (2019) the introduction of the educational package. The primary outcome was the unplanned hospital readmission rate in the 42 days following discharge. Secondary outcomes were the compliance with the set prescribing standards and the prescription of strong opioid medications (morphine or oxycodone) on discharge.

Results

There was a reduction in the readmission rate from 20.4% to 10.0% (p=0.004). Readmission rates for pain and constipation were also reduced. The prescribing of tramadol (p<0.001) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (p<0.001) both increased while the number of patients who received a strong opioid at discharge decreased (p<0.001) as did the number of patients who received a sustained release strong opioid (p<0.001).

Conclusion

We have observed significant improvement in discharge prescribing which coincided with a reduction in unplanned readmissions after elective TKA and THA. Our approach used prescriber guidelines, education and standardisation with printed information for patients to enhance understanding and recall.

Pharmacological management of patients undergoing total pancreatectomy with auto-islet transplantation

Chronic pancreatitis results in permanent parenchymal destruction of the pancreas gland leading to anatomical and physiological consequences for patients. Surgical management varies, and some patients require total pancreatectomy with autologous islet cell transplantation (TPIAT). Patients undergoing TPIAT require complex and diligent management after surgery. This encompasses the management of glucose control (endocrine function of the pancreas) and supplementing loss of exocrine function of the pancreas with digestive enzymes. Other areas of management include optimizing pain relief while reducing narcotic usage, providing antimicrobial prophylaxis, and reducing loss of islet cells by improving its integrity through anticoagulation and use of anti-inflammatory agents. Each aspect of care is unique to this population. However, comprehensive reviews on its pharmacological management are scarce. This review will discuss the available literature to date surrounding all aspects of pharmacological management of patients undergoing TPIAT.

Postoperative opioid prescribing, use and pain trends following general surgery procedures: a retrospective cohort study among veterans comparing non-opioid versus chronic opioid users

INTRODUCTION

Understanding postoperative opioid use patterns among different populations is key to developing opioid stewardship programs.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort study on opioid prescribing, use, and pain after general surgery procedures for patients cared for by a transitional pain service at a veterans administration hospital. Discharge opioid prescription quantity, 90-day opioid prescription, and patient reported outcome pain measures were compared between chronic opioid users and non-opioid users (NOU). Additionally, 90-day total opioid use was evaluated for NOU.

RESULTS

Of 257 patients, 34 (13%) were on chronic opioid therapy, over 50% had a mental health disorder, and 29% had a history and/or presence of a substance use disorder. NOU were prescribed a median (IQR) of 10 (7, 12) tablets at discharge, while chronic opioid users were prescribed 6 (0, 12) tablets (p<0.001). 90-day opioid prescription (not including baseline opioid prescription for chronic users) was 10 (7, 15) and 6 (0, 12) tablets, respectively (p=0.001). There were no differences in changes in pain intensity or pain interference scores during recovery between groups. Median 90-day opioid use post discharge for NOU was 4 (0, 10) pills.

DISCUSSION

Non-opioid and chronic opioid users required very few opioid pills following surgery, and patients on chronic opioid therapy quickly returned to their baseline opioid use after a small opioid prescription at discharge. There was no difference in pain recovery between groups. Opioid prescribing guidelines should include patients on chronic opioid therapy and could consider recommending a more conservative prescribing approach.

Paracetamol (acetaminophen) use in infants and children was never shown to be safe for neurodevelopment: a systematic review with citation tracking

Although widely believed by pediatricians and parents to be safe for use in infants and children when used as directed, increasing evidence indicates that early life exposure to paracetamol (acetaminophen) may cause long-term neurodevelopmental problems. Furthermore, recent studies in animal models demonstrate that cognitive development is exquisitely sensitive to paracetamol exposure during early development. In this study, evidence for the claim that paracetamol is safe was evaluated using a systematic literature search. Publications on PubMed between 1974 and 2017 that contained the keywords "infant" and either "paracetamol" or "acetaminophen" were considered. Of those initial 3096 papers, 218 were identified that made claims that paracetamol was safe for use with infants or children. From these 218, a total of 103 papers were identified as sources of authority for the safety claim.   Conclusion: A total of 52 papers contained actual experiments designed to test safety, and had a median follow-up time of 48 h. None monitored neurodevelopment. Furthermore, no trial considered total exposure to drug since birth, eliminating the possibility that the effects of drug exposure on long-term neurodevelopment could be accurately assessed. On the other hand, abundant and sufficient evidence was found to conclude that paracetamol does not induce acute liver damage in babies or children when used as directed. What is Known: • Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is widely thought by pediatricians and parents to be safe when used as directed in the pediatric population, and is the most widely used drug in that population, with more than 90% of children exposed to the drug in some reports. • Paracetamol is known to cause liver damage in adults under conditions of oxidative stress or when used in excess, but increasing evidence from studies in humans and in laboratory animals indicates that the target organ for paracetamol toxicity during early development is the brain, not the liver. What is New: • This study finds hundreds of published reports in the medical literature asserting that paracetamol is safe when used as directed, providing a foundation for the widespread belief that the drug is safe. • This study shows that paracetamol was proven to be safe by approximately 50 short-term studies demonstrating the drug's safety for the pediatric liver, but the drug was never shown to be safe for neurodevelopment. Paracetamol is widely believed to be safe for infants and children when used as directed, despite mounting evidence in humans and in laboratory animals indicating that the drug is not safe for neurodevelopment. An exhaustive search of published work cited for safe use of paracetamol in the pediatric population revealed 52 experimental studies pointing toward safety, but the median follow-up time was only 48 h, and neurodevelopment was never assessed.

Pain Management of Acute and Chronic Postoperative Pain

Inadequate management of acute postoperative pain is associated with effects related to both physiological and psychological function. Postoperative pain increases the risk of perioperative complications, so postoperative pain should be prevented. Postoperative pain management by sufficient analgesia is important while considering the use of various kinds of analgesics. Insufficient management of postoperative pain may lead to chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP). It is suggested that CPSP is dependent not only upon biological factors but also upon psychological factors, including the type of surgery, age, physical health, mental health, and preoperative pain. As CPSP is a severe complication that may prolong hospitalization and interferes with activities of daily living (ADL) and quality of life (QoL), its prevention of development is paramount. Therefore, in order to prevent the onset of CPSP, it is necessary to craft analgesic management to prevent CPSP during the perioperative period.

Comparison between intrathecal morphine and intravenous patient control analgesia for pain control after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery: A pilot randomized controlled study

Background

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is a minimally invasive procedure, but patients may still experience intense pain, especially during the early postoperative period. Intrathecal morphine (ITM) is an effective pain control method that involves a simple maneuver and has a low risk of complications. This study aimed to study the effectiveness of ITM for pain control in patients who undergo VATS.

Materials and methods

A randomized controlled study was conducted who were in ASA classes 1–3, aged over 18 years, and scheduled for elective VATS. Patients were randomized into two groups: the ITM group (n = 19) received a single shot of 0.2 mg ITM before general anesthesia; and the control group (n = 19) received general anesthesia only. For 48 hours after surgery, other than intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IVPCA) morphine, patients received no sedatives or opioid medications except for 500 mg acetaminophen four times daily orally. Postoperative pain scores and IVPCA morphine used, side effects, sedation at specific time-points, i.e., 1, 6, 12, 24, and 48-hours and overall treatment satisfaction scores were assessed.

Results

Postoperative pain scores (median [IQR]) in ITM group were significantly lower than control group (repeated-measure ANOVA, p = 0.006) and differed at the first (7 [2, 7] vs 8 [6, 9], p = 0.007) and sixth hours (3 [2, 5] vs 5 [5, 7], p = 0.002). The cumulative dose of post-operative morphine (median [IQR]) in ITM group was also lower (6 [3, 20] vs 19 [14, 28], p = 0.006). The incidence of pruritus was significantly higher in ITM group (68.42% vs. 26.32%, p = 0.009). No significant differences in nausea and vomiting, sedation scores, and satisfaction scores were observed between the two groups.

Conclusion

ITM could reduce pain scores and opioid consumption after VATS compared to IVPCA-opioids. However, pain scores and opioid consumption still remained high. No difference in patient satisfaction was detected.

Opioid-Sparing Perioperative Analgesia Within Enhanced Recovery Programs

Opioid-based analgesia in the perioperative period can provide excellent pain control, but this approach exposes the patient to avoidable side effects and possible harm. Optimal analgesia, an approach that targets the fastest functional recovery with adequate pain control while minimizing side effects, can be achieved with opioid minimization. Many different options for nonopioid multimodal analgesia exist and have been shown to be efficacious, with certain modalities being more beneficial for specific surgeries. This review will present the evidence and practical tips for these management strategies.

Visualizing Opioid-Use Variation in a Pediatric Perioperative Dashboard

BACKGROUND

Anesthesiologists integrate numerous variables to determine an opioid dose that manages patient nociception and pain while minimizing adverse effects. Clinical dashboards that enable physicians to compare themselves to their peers can reduce unnecessary variation in patient care and improve outcomes. However, due to the complexity of anesthetic dosing decisions, comparative visualizations of opioid-use patterns are complicated by case-mix differences between providers.

OBJECTIVES

This single-institution case study describes the development of a pediatric anesthesia dashboard and demonstrates how advanced computational techniques can facilitate nuanced normalization techniques, enabling meaningful comparisons of complex clinical data.

METHODS

We engaged perioperative-care stakeholders at a tertiary care pediatric hospital to determine patient and surgical variables relevant to anesthesia decision-making and to identify end-user requirements for an opioid-use visualization tool. Case data were extracted, aggregated, and standardized. We performed multivariable machine learning to identify and understand key variables. We integrated interview findings and computational algorithms into an interactive dashboard with normalized comparisons, followed by an iterative process of improvement and implementation.

RESULTS

The dashboard design process identified two mechanisms-interactive data filtration and machine-learning-based normalization-that enable rigorous monitoring of opioid utilization with meaningful case-mix adjustment. When deployed with real data encompassing 24,332 surgical cases, our dashboard identified both high and low opioid-use outliers with associated clinical outcomes data.

CONCLUSION

A tool that gives anesthesiologists timely data on their practice patterns while adjusting for case-mix differences empowers physicians to track changes and variation in opioid administration over time. Such a tool can successfully trigger conversation amongst stakeholders in support of continuous improvement efforts. Clinical analytics dashboards can enable physicians to better understand their practice and provide motivation to change behavior, ultimately addressing unnecessary variation in high impact medication use and minimizing adverse effects.

Anesthesia and Enhanced Recovery After Surgery in Bariatric Surgery

The Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Society published guidelines for bariatric surgery reviewing the evidence and providing specific care recommendations. These guidelines emphasize preoperative nutrition, multimodal analgesia, postoperative nausea and vomiting prophylaxis, anesthetic technique, nutrition, and mobilization. Several studies have since evaluated these pathways, showing them to be safe and effective at decreasing hospital length of stay and postoperative nausea and vomiting. This article emphasizes anesthetic management in the perioperative period and outlines future directions, including the application of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery principles in patients with extreme obesity, diabetes, and metabolic disease and standardization of the pathways to decrease heterogeneity.

Immune Modulatory Effects of Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs in the Perioperative Period and Their Consequence on Postoperative Outcome

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are among the most commonly administered drugs in the perioperative period due to their prominent role in pain management. However, they potentially have perioperative consequences due to immune-modulating effects through the inhibition of prostanoid synthesis, thereby affecting the levels of various cytokines. These effects may have a direct impact on the postoperative outcome of patients since the immune system aims to restore homeostasis and plays an indispensable role in regeneration and repair. By affecting the immune response, consequences can be expected on various organ systems. This narrative review aims to highlight these potential immune system-related consequences, which include systemic inflammatory response syndrome, acute respiratory distress syndrome, immediate and persistent postoperative pain, effects on oncological and neurologic outcome, and wound, anastomotic, and bone healing.

Postoperative pain treatment after lumbar discectomy. A protocol for a systematic review with meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis

BACKGROUND

Patients undergoing lumbar discectomy usually suffer from moderate to severe pain during the postoperative period. Multimodal, or balanced analgesia, is the leading treatment principle for managing postoperative pain. The rationale is to achieve optimal pain treatment through additive or synergistic effects of several non-opioid analgesics, and thereby, reducing the need for postoperative opioids, facilitating early mobilization and functional rehabilitation. For discectomy surgery, evidence of both the benefit and harm of different analgesic interventions is unclear.

OBJECTIVES

This systematic review aims to investigate the benefits and harms of analgesic interventions in adult patients after lumbar discectomy.

METHODS

This protocol for a systematic review is written according to The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols guidelines. We will search The Cochrane Library's CENTRAL, PubMed, EMBASE, and ClinicalTrails.gov for published and ongoing trials. All randomized clinical trials assessing the postoperative analgesics effect of an intervention with a control or no-intervention group undergoing lumbar discectomy will be included. Two authors will independently screen trials for inclusion using Covidence, extract data and assess the risk of bias using Cochrane's risk-of-bias 2 tool. We will analyse the data using Review Manager and Trial Sequential Analysis. Meta-analysis will be performed according to the Cochrane guidelines. We will present our primary findings in a 'summary of findings' table and evaluate the overall certainty of evidence using the GRADE approach.

DISCUSSION

This systematic review will assess the benefits and harms of analgesic interventions after lumbar discectomy and have the potential to improve best practices and advance research.

Gaps in standardized postoperative pain management quality measures: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

The goal of this study was an assessment of availability postoperative pain management quality measures and National Quality Forum-endorsed measures. Postoperative pain is an important clinical timepoint because poor pain control can lead to patient suffering, chronic opiate use, and/or chronic pain. Quality measures can guide best practices, but it is unclear whether there are measures for managing pain after surgery.

METHODS

The National Quality Forum Quality Positioning System, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Indicators, and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Measures Inventory Tool databases were searched in November 2019. We conducted a systematic literature review to further identify quality measures in research publications, clinical practice guidelines, and gray literature for the period between March 11, 2015 and March 11, 2020.

RESULTS

Our systematic review yielded 1,328 publications, of which 206 were pertinent. Nineteen pain management quality measures were identified from the quality measure databases, and 5 were endorsed by National Quality Forum. The National Quality Forum measures were not specific to postoperative pain management. Three of the non-endorsed measures were specific to postoperative pain.

CONCLUSION

The dearth of published postoperative pain management quality measures, especially National Quality Forum-endorsed measures, highlights the need for more rigorous evidence and widely endorsed postoperative pain quality measures to guide best practices.

Associations of Multimodal Analgesia With Postoperative Pain Trajectories and Morphine Consumption After Hepatic Cancer Surgery

Background

This study aimed to investigate the influential factors of postoperative pain trajectories and morphine consumption after hepatic cancer surgery with a particular interest in multimodal analgesia.

Methods

Patients receiving hepatic cancer surgery at a tertiary medical center were enrolled between 2011 and 2016. Postoperative pain scores and potentially influential factors like patient characteristics and the analgesic used were collected. Latent curve analysis was conducted to investigate predictors of postoperative pain trajectories and a linear regression model was used to explore factors associated with postoperative morphine consumption.

Results

450 patients were collected, the daily pain scores during the first postoperative week ranged from 2.0 to 3.0 on average. Male and higher body weight were associated with more morphine consumption (both P < 0.001) but reduced morphine demand was noted in the elderly (P < 0.001) and standing acetaminophen users (P = 0.003). Longer anesthesia time was associated with higher baseline pain levels (P < 0.001). In contrast, male gender (P < 0.001) and standing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) use (P = 0.012) were associated with faster pain resolution over time.

Conclusions

Multimodal analgesia with standing acetaminophen and NSAIDs had benefits of opioid-sparing and faster pain resolution, respectively, to patients receiving hepatic cancer surgery.

Effect of dexamethasone as an analgesic adjuvant to multimodal pain treatment after total knee arthroplasty: randomised clinical trial

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of one and two doses of intravenous dexamethasone in patients after total knee arthroplasty.

DESIGN

Randomised, blinded, placebo controlled trial with follow-up at 90 days.

SETTING

Five Danish hospitals, September 2018 to March 2020.

PARTICIPANTS

485 adult participants undergoing total knee arthroplasty.

INTERVENTION

A computer generated randomised sequence stratified for site was used to allocate participants to one of three groups: DX1 (dexamethasone (24 mg)+placebo); DX2 (dexamethasone (24 mg)+dexamethasone (24 mg)); or placebo (placebo+placebo). The intervention was given preoperatively and after 24 hours. Participants, investigators, and outcome assessors were blinded. All participants received paracetamol, ibuprofen, and local infiltration analgesia.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome was total intravenous morphine consumption 0 to 48 hours postoperatively. Multiplicity adjusted threshold for statistical significance was P<0.017 and minimal important difference was 10 mg morphine. Secondary outcomes included postoperative pain.

RESULTS

485 participants were randomised: 161 to DX1, 162 to DX2, and 162 to placebo. Data from 472 participants (97.3%) were included in the primary outcome analysis. The median (interquartile range) morphine consumptions at 0-48 hours were: DX1 37.9 mg (20.7 to 56.7); DX2 35.0 mg (20.6 to 52.0); and placebo 43.0 mg (28.7 to 64.0). Hodges-Lehmann median differences between groups were: -2.7 mg (98.3% confidence interval -9.3 to 3.7), P=0.30 between DX1 and DX2; 7.8 mg (0.7 to 14.7), P=0.008 between DX1 and placebo; and 10.7 mg (4.0 to 17.3), P<0.001 between DX2 and placebo. Postoperative pain was reduced at 24 hours with one dose, and at 48 hours with two doses, of dexamethasone.

CONCLUSION

Two doses of dexamethasone reduced morphine consumption during 48 hours after total knee arthroplasty and reduced postoperative pain.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinicaltrials.gov NCT03506789.

Reduction of post-operative opioid use in neonates following open congenital diaphragmatic hernia repairs: A quality improvement initiative

BACKGROUND

A limited number of post-operative opioid reduction strategies have been implemented in the neonatal population. Given the potential neurodevelopment effects of prolonged opioid use, we created a quality improvement initiative to reduce opioids in our NICU and evaluated the intervention in our CDH population.

METHODS

Our opioid reduction intervention was based on standing post-operative IV acetaminophen, standardizing post-surgical sign-out between the surgical, anesthesia and NICU teams and a series of education seminars with NICU providers on post-operative pain control management. A historical control was used to perform a retrospective cohort analysis of opioid prescribing patterns in addition to a utilizing process control charts to investigate time trends in prescribing patterns.

RESULTS

Forty-five children with CDH underwent an operation were included in our investigation- 18 in our pre-intervention cohort, 6 in a roll-out cohort and 21 in our post-intervention cohort. Each cohort was clinically similar. The intervention reduced total post-operative opioid use (morphine equivalents) from 82.2 (mg/kg) to 2.9 (mg/kg) in our post-intervention group (p < 0.0001). Our maximum Neonatal Pain and Agitation Sedation Score over the first 48 post-operative hours were equivalent (p = 0.827). Safety profiles were statistically equivalent. The opioid reduction intervention reduced post-operative intubation length from 156 to 44 h (p = 0.021).

CONCLUSION

A multi-tiered intervention can decrease opioid use in post-surgical neonates with complex surgical pathology including CDH. The intervention proposed in this investigation is safe and does not increase pain or sedation scores in neonates, while lessening post-operative intubation length.

EVIDENCE LEVEL

Level II.

Postoperative Pain Management in Enhanced Recovery Pathways

Postoperative pain is a common but often inadequately treated condition. Enhanced recovery pathways (ERPs) are increasingly being utilized to standardize perioperative care and improve outcomes. ERPs employ multimodal postoperative pain management strategies that minimize opioid use and promote recovery. While traditional opioid medications continue to play an important role in the treatment of postoperative pain, ERPs also rely on a wide range of non-opioid pharmacologic therapies as well as regional anesthesia techniques to manage pain in the postoperative setting. The evidence for the use of these interventions continues to evolve rapidly given the increasing focus on enhanced postoperative recovery. This article reviews the current evidence and knowledge gaps pertaining to commonly utilized modalities for postoperative pain management in ERPs.

Modified protocol for Enhanced Recovery After Surgery is beneficial for achalasia patients undergoing peroral endoscopic myotomy: a randomized prospective trial

Introduction

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols have been proven to promote postoperative recovery. However, limited evidence is available on ERAS protocols in patients undergoing peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM).

Aim

To study the safety and effectiveness of an ERAS protocol in terms of the standard postoperative length of stay (LOS) and QoR-15 (Quality of Recovery) score of patients undergoing POEM.

Material and methods

Eighty patients were randomly divided into the ERAS or conventional group. The ERAS group received ERAS management, while the conventional group received normal management. The ERAS protocol included sufficient preoperative education, shortening time of preoperative fasting, maintaining intraoperative normothermia, intraoperative fluid management, and improving analgesia. We compared the results between the two groups in term of standard postoperative LOS and cost, QoR-15 score, postoperative pain and complications.

Results

Patients showed an improvement in the ERAS group in terms of earlier readiness for hospital discharge (40.21 ±8.42 h vs. 48.63 ±10.42 h; p < 0.001), earlier resumption of oral feeding (31.80 ±8.7 h vs. 42.35 ±10.80 h; p < 0.001), lower VAS, and higher QoR-15 score (139.29 ±2.21 vs. 137.03 ±3.77; p = 0.002) on postoperative day 2. For post-operative complications, there was no significant difference between the two groups.

Conclusions

The ERAS protocol is feasible and safe for POEM, and may decrease standard postoperative LOS, shorten recovery of gastrointestinal function, and improve postoperative patient satisfaction.

Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, Acute Oral Toxicity, and Qualitative Phytochemistry of The Aqueous Root Extract of Launaea cornuta (Hochst. Ex Oliv. & Hiern.)

The root and leaf extracts of Launaea cornuta have been locally used in traditional medicine for decades to manage inflammatory conditions and other oxidative-stress-related syndromes; however, their pharmacologic efficacy has not been scientifically investigated and validated. Accordingly, we investigated the in vitro antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory (in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo) efficacy, acute oral toxicity, and qualitative phytochemical composition of the aqueous root extract of L. cornuta. The ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and the 2,2-diphenyl-2-pycrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging test methods were used to determine the studied plant extract’s antioxidant activity. Besides, the anti-inflammatory efficacy of the studied plant extract was investigated using in vitro (anti-proteinase and protein denaturation), ex vivo (membrane stabilization), and in vivo (carrageenan-induced paw oedema in Swiss albino mice) methods. The studied plant extract demonstrated significant in vitro antioxidant effects, which were evidenced by higher DPPH radical scavenging and FRAP activities, in a concentration-dependent manner (p < 0.05). Generally, the studied plant extract exhibited significant in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo anti-inflammatory efficacy, respectively, and in a concentration/dose-dependent manner compared with respective controls (p < 0.05). Moreover, the studied plant extract did not cause any observable signs of acute oral toxicity, even at the cut-off dose of 2000 mg/Kg BW (LD₅₀ > 2000 mg/Kg BW), and was thus considered safe. Additionally, qualitative phytochemistry revealed the presence of various antioxidant- and anti-inflammatory-associated phytochemicals, which were deemed responsible for the reported pharmacologic efficacy. Further studies to characterise bioactive molecules and their mode(s) of pharmacologic efficacy are encouraged.

Association of Intravenous Acetaminophen Administration With the Duration of Intravenous Opioid Use Among Hospitalized Pediatric Patients

Importance

Adoption of multimodal pain regimens that incorporate nonopioid analgesic medications to reduce inpatient opioid administration can prevent serious opioid-related adverse effects in children, including tolerance, withdrawal, delirium, and respiratory depression. Intravenous (IV) acetaminophen is in widespread pediatric use; however, its effectiveness as an opioid-sparing agent has not been evaluated in general pediatric inpatients.

Objective

To determine if IV acetaminophen administered prior to IV opioids is associated with a reduction in the total duration of IV opioids administered compared with IV opioids administered without IV acetaminophen in general pediatric inpatients.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This comparative effectiveness research study included data on pediatric inpatients from 274 US hospitals between January 2011 and June 2016 collected from a national database. Outcomes were compared with a propensity score-matched analysis of pediatric inpatients administered IV opioids without IV acetaminophen (control) and those administered IV acetaminophen prior to IV opioids (intervention). Data were analyzed from January 2020 through October 2021.

Exposures

Patients in the intervention group received IV acetaminophen prior to IV opioids. Patients in the control group received IV opioids without IV acetaminophen.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Total duration of all IV opioids administered during a patient's hospitalization.

Results

Of 893 293 pediatric inpatients, a total of 104 579 were included in analysis (median [IQR] age, 1.3 [0-14.7] years; 59 806 [57.2%] female; 21 485 [21.5%] African American, 56 309 [53.8%] White), of whom 18 197 (2.0%) received IV acetaminophen, and 287 504 (34.0%) received IV opioids. After applying exclusion criteria, among patients who received IV acetaminophen, 1739 (10.8%) received IV acetaminophen prior to IV opioids within a median (IQR) treatment time of 1.5 (0.02-7.3) hours. After propensity score matching produced comparable groups in the control and intervention groups (with 839 patients in each group), the multivariable model estimated a 15.5% shorter duration of IV opioid use in the intervention group, with an absolute IV opioid reduction of 7.5 hours (95% CI, 0.7-15.8 hours).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this comparative effectiveness study, IV acetaminophen administered prior to IV opioids was associated with a reduction in IV opioid duration by 15.5%. Multimodal pain regimens that use IV acetaminophen prior to IV opioids could reduce IV opioid duration.

Paracetamol, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and glucocorticoids for postoperative pain: A protocol for a systematic review with meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis

BACKGROUND

Multimodal analgesia is the leading principle for managing postoperative pain. Recent guidelines recommend combinations of paracetamol and a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) for most surgeries. Glucocorticoids have been used for decades due to their potent anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties. Subsequently, glucocorticoids may improve postoperative analgesia. We will perform a systematic review to assess benefits and harms of adding glucocorticoids to paracetamol and NSAIDs. We expect to uncover pros and cons of the addition of glucocorticoid to the basic standard regimen of paracetamol and NSAIDs for postoperative analgesia.

METHOD

This protocol for a systematic review was written according to the The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols guidelines. We will search for trials in the following electronic databases: Medline, CENTRAL, CDSR and Embase. Two authors will independently screen trials for inclusion using Covidence, extract data and assess risk of bias using Cochrane's ROB 2 tool. We will analyse data using Review Manager and Trial Sequential Analysis. Meta-analysis will be performed according to the Cochrane guidelines and results will be validated according to the eight-step procedure suggested by Jakobsen et al We will present our primary findings in a 'summary of findings' table. We will evaluate the overall certainty of evidence using the GRADE approach.

DISCUSSION

This review will aim to explore the combination of glucocorticoids together with paracetamol and NSAIDs for postoperative pain. We will attempt to provide reliable evidence regarding the role of glucocorticoids as part of a multimodal analgesic regimen in combination with paracetamol and NSAID.

The Current Consideration, Approach, and Management in Postcesarean Delivery Pain Control: A Narrative Review

Optimal postoperative analgesia has a significant impact on patient recovery and outcomes after cesarean delivery. Multimodal analgesia is the core principle for cesarean delivery and pain management. For a standard analgesic regimen, the use of long-acting neuraxial opioids (e.g., morphine) and adjunct drugs, such as scheduled acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, is recommended unless contraindicated. Oral or intravenous opioids should be reserved for breakthrough pain. In addition to the aforementioned use of multimodal analgesia, preoperative evaluation is critical to individualize the analgesic regimen according to the patient requirements. Risk factors for severe postoperative pain or analgesia-related adverse effects will require modifications to the standard analgesic regimen (e.g., the use of ketamine, gabapentinoids, or regional anesthetic techniques). Further investigation is required to determine analgesic drugs or dose alterations based on preoperative predictions for patients at risk of severe pain. Outcomes beyond pain and analgesic use, such as functional recovery, should be determined to evaluate analgesic treatment protocols.

Intraoperative Dexmedetomidine and Ketamine Infusions in an Enhanced Recovery After Thoracic Surgery Program: A Propensity Score Matched Analysis

OBJECTIVES

To assess the impact of intraoperative dexmedetomidine and ketamine on postoperative pain and opioid consumption within an ERAS program in thoracic pulmonary oncologic surgery.

DESIGN

Retrospective, propensity-score matched analysis SETTING: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) program.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients undergoing thoracic pulmonary oncologic surgery between March 2016 and April 2020.

INTERVENTIONS

Continuous infusion of dexmedetomidine and ketamine.

MEASUREMENTS & MAIN RESULTS

The authors initially analyzed data of 1,630 patients undergoing thoracic pulmonary oncologic surgery within their ERAS program. In total, 117 matched pairs were included in this analysis. Patients in the intraoperative dexmedetomidine + ketamine group were more likely to be opioid-free (76.6% vs 60.9%, P<0.01). Raw analysis showed lower pain scores at PACU admission (2.8±2.0 vs 3.4±2.0, P=0.03) and less opioid consumption at PACU admission (5 MED [0-10] vs 7.5 MED [0-15], P=0.03) in the dexmedetomidine + ketamine group; however, these differences were not present after adjusting for multiplicity. There were no significant differences in the length of PACU stay (1.9 hours [1.5-2.8] vs 2.0 hours [1.4-2.9], P=0.48) or hospital stay (three days [two-five] vs three days [two-five], P=0.08). Both groups had similar rates of pulmonary complications (5.9% vs 9.4%, P=0.326), ileus (0.9% vs 0.9%, P=1.00), and 30-day readmission (2.6% vs 4.3%, P=0.722).

CONCLUSIONS

There were no differences in postoperative pain scores and opioid consumption throughout their hospital stay between patients receiving concomitant dexmedetomidine and ketamine infusions versus patients who did not receive these infusions during thoracic surgery.

Systematic review of the effect of implementing enhanced recovery after surgery on selected attributes of surgical recovery in gynecology

This study aimed to systematically review the available literature on enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) following gynecologic procedures performed either as an open surgery or as a minimally invasive gynecological surgery (MIGS) in terms of outcomes. This review revealed the results of published literature and assessed the benefits and diverse outcomes of ERAS implementation in patients undergoing MIGS or other gynecologic surgeries. In this review, we sought to examine the efficacy of entire ERAS protocols, faithfully performed, to determine whether they were successful in improving individual attributes of surgical recovery. Electronic databases of PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Science, Scopus, MEDLINE, and ClinicalTrials.gov were systematically searched in January 2021 for relevant studies. Data were extracted from eligible studies including LOS, change in the quality-of-life and recovery over time, postoperative complications including nausea and vomiting, opioid or anesthesia use, hospital cost, patient satisfaction, postoperative pain, and readmission rate as outcomes. Many of the included studies reported a significant reduction in the LOS as well as in readmission rates, hospital cost, and occurrence of nausea and vomiting postoperatively. Moreover, a clinically significant increase was noted in patient satisfaction in studies that have used tools that measure patient satisfaction. No studies have reported a significant increase in the overall quality of recovery using appropriately validated tools. Following ERAS implementation, patients’ postoperative rehabilitation, including postoperative discomfort, readmission rates, and satisfaction, showed a clinically significant improvement.

Perioperative Pain Management Issues Unique to Older Adults Undergoing Surgery: A Narrative Review

INTRODUCTION

The older population is growing and with this growth there is a parallel rise in the operations performed on this vulnerable group. The perioperative pain management strategy for older adults is unique and requires a team-based approach for provision of high-quality surgical care.

METHODS

Literature search was performed using PubMed in addition to review of relevant protocols and guidelines from geriatric, surgical, and anesthesia societies. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses, randomized trials, observational studies, and society guidelines were summarized in this review.

MANAGEMENT

The optimal approach to a pain management strategy for older adults undergoing surgery involves addressing all phases of perioperative care. For example, preoperative assessment of a patient's cognitive function and presence of chronic pain may impact the pain management plan. Consideration should be also given to intraoperative strategies to improve pain control and minimize both the dose and side effects from opioids (e.g. regional anesthetic techniques). Postoperative pain control (e.g. under or over treatment of pain) may impact the development of elderly-specific complications such as postoperative delirium and functional decline. Finally, pain management does not stop after the older adult patient leaves the hospital. Both discharge planning and post-operative clinic follow-up provide important opportunities for collaboration and intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

An opioid-sparing pain management strategy for older adults can be accomplished with a comprehensive and collaborative interdisciplinary strategy addressing all phases of perioperative care.

A standardized post-cesarean analgesia regimen reduces postpartum opioid use

BACKGROUND

Optimal post-cesarean pain control is important. With the rising opioid epidemic it is imperative to maximize non-opioid based primary approaches to post-cesarean pain control. In 2018, we implemented a standardized post-cesarean analgesia regimen.

OBJECTIVE

To determine if implementation of a standardized postoperative analgesic regimen decreases opioid use following cesarean birth.

STUDY DESIGN

A standardized postoperative analgesia protocol was implemented in June 2018, which included scheduled oral acetaminophen (975 mg every 6 h) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (ketorolac 15 mg IV every 6 h for 5 doses followed by ibuprofen 600 mg oral every 6 h) with opioids available for breakthrough pain. There was no prior standardized protocol. A before-and-after study design was used to compare oral morphine milligram equivalents (MME) for nine months prior to and nine months after this protocol was implemented, excluding the two month period of protocol rollout. Women with opioid use disorder or postoperative intubation were excluded. The primary outcome was the cumulative MME used in the first 72 h postoperatively. Total dose at 12, 24, and 48 h were also compared.

RESULTS

Of 2340 women who underwent cesarean birth during the study period (1 July 2017 - 30 April 2019), 2001 women met inclusion criteria (914 before 10 April 2018 (pre-protocol) and 1087 after 17 June 2018 (post-protocol)). Baseline characteristics of the two groups were similar, including gestational age at delivery, maternal body mass index (BMI), planned versus unplanned cesarean birth, and type of intraoperative anesthesia used. The cumulative opioid dose in the first 72 h postoperatively was 216.3 ± 84.3 MME prior to implementation compared to 171.5 ± 91.5 MME following implementation (p < .001). The average cumulative MME use was higher in the pre-protocol period compared to post-protocol at all time periods: 12 h (57.3 ± 23.8 vs 48.6 ± 26.2 MME, p < .001), 24 h (98.1 ± 34.1 vs 82.1 ± 38.8 MME, p < .001), and 48 h (165.8 ± 58.3 vs 134.9 ± 66.2 MME, p < .001). The average pain scores were lower in the pre-protocol group (3 vs 3.3, p < .001).

CONCLUSION

Scheduled administration of acetaminophen and NSAIDs following cesarean birth significantly decreased the cumulative dose of opioids used in the first 72 h postoperatively.

Efficacy of an opioid-sparing analgesic protocol in pain control after less invasive cranial neurosurgery

An opioid-sparing protocol for postoperative pain management in less invasive cranial neurosurgery significantly lowered opioid usage while reducing pain scores.

Introduction:

Opioid overuse in postoperative patients is a worrisome trend, and potential alternatives exist which warrant investigation. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use in treating postoperative cranial surgery pain has been hampered by concern for inadequate pain control and increased risk of hemorrhagic complications. A safe and effective alternative to opioid-based pain management is critical to improving postoperative care.

Objective:

The objective of this retrospective study was to determine whether an NSAID-based opioid-sparing pain management protocol (OSP) is effective in analgesic control of less invasive cranial surgery patients at 6-, 12-, and 24-hour postoperatively. Secondary aims included investigating differences in hemorrhagic complications.

Methods:

Five hundred sixty-six consecutive patients who underwent cranial surgery before and after implementation of the celecoxib-based OSP were eligible. Propensity score matching was used to match patients in each cohort.

Results:

The opioid-sparing cohort had lower pain scores at 6 hours (3.45 vs 4.19, P = 0.036), 12 hours (3.21 vs 4.00, P = 0.006), and 24 hours (2.90 vs 3.59, P = 0.010). Rates of postoperative hemorrhage were not significantly different (5% intervention vs 8% control, P = 0.527). The opioid-sparing pain management protocol provided comparable or better pain control in the first 24 hours after less invasive cranial surgery. Hemorrhage rates did not change with the use of an NSAID-based OSP.

Conclusion:

An effective alternative to the current standard opioid-based pain management is feasible for less invasive cranial surgery. Determinations of hemorrhage risk and more complex cranial surgery will require larger prospective randomized trials.