Multimodal Analgesia in Breast Surgical Procedures: Technical and Pharmacological Considerations for Liposomal Bupivacaine Use

The effect of a local anesthetic cocktail in a serratus anterior plane and PECS 1 block for implant-based breast reconstruction

Introduction

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols have been implemented to decrease opioid use and decrease patient hospital length of stay (LOS, days). Serratus anterior plane (SAP) blocks anesthetize the T2 through T9 dermatomes of the breast and can be applied intraoperatively. The purpose of this study was to compare postoperative opioid (OME) consumption and LOS between a control group, an ERAS group, and an ERAS/local anesthetic cocktail group in patients who underwent implant-based breast reconstruction.

Methods

In this study, 142 women who underwent implant-based breast reconstruction between 2004 and 2020 were divided into Group A (46 patients), a historical cohort; Group B (73 patients), an ERAS/no-block control group; and Group C (23 patients), an ERAS/anesthetic cocktail study group. Primary outcomes of interest were postanesthesia care unit (PACU), inpatient and total hospital OME consumption, and PACU LOS.

Results

A significant decrease was observed from Group A to C in PACU LOS (103.3 vs. 80.2 vs. 70.5; p = 0.011), OME use (25.1 vs. 11.4 vs. 5.7; p < 0.0001), and total hospital OME (120.3 vs. 95.2 vs. 35.9; p < 0.05). No difference was observed in inpatient OMEs between the three groups (95.2 vs. 83.8 vs. 30.8; p = 0.212). Despite not reaching statistical significance, Group C consumed an average of 50-60 % less opioids per patient than did Group B in PACU, inpatient, and total hospital OMEs.

Conclusion

Local anesthetic blocks are important components of ERAS protocols. Our results demonstrate that a combination regional block with a local anesthetic cocktail in an ERAS protocol can decrease opioid consumption in implant-based breast reconstruction.

Safety and Distribution of Opioid Prescribing by U.S. Surgeons

OBJECTIVE

To estimate high-risk prescribing patterns among opioid prescriptions from U.S. surgeons; to characterize the distribution of high-risk prescribing among surgeons.

BACKGROUND

National data on the prevalence of opioid prescribing and high-risk opioid prescribing by U.S. surgeons are lacking.

METHODS

Using the IQVIA Prescription Database, which reports dispensing from 92% of U.S. pharmacies, we identified opioid prescriptions from surgeons dispensed in 2019 to patients ages ≥12 years. "High-risk" prescriptions were characterized by: days supplied >7, daily dosage ≥50 oral morphine equivalents (OMEs), opioid-benzodiazepine overlap, and extended-release/long-acting opioid. We determined the proportion of opioid prescriptions, total OMEs, and high-risk prescriptions accounted for by "high-volume surgeons" (those in the ≥95th percentile for prescription counts). We used linear regression to identify characteristics associated with being a high-volume surgeon.

RESULTS

Among 15,493,018 opioid prescriptions included, 7,036,481 (45.4%) were high-risk. Among 114,610 surgeons, 5753 were in the 95th percentile or above for prescription count, with ≥520 prescriptions dispensed in 2019. High-volume surgeons accounted for 33.5% of opioid prescriptions, 52.8% of total OMEs, and 44.2% of high-risk prescriptions. Among high-volume surgeons, 73.9% were orthopedic surgeons and 60.6% practiced in the South. Older age, male sex, specialty, region, and lack of affiliation with academic institutions or health systems were correlated with high-risk prescribing.

CONCLUSIONS

The top 5% of surgeons account for 33.5% of opioid prescriptions and 45.4% of high-risk prescriptions. Quality improvement initiatives targeting these surgeons may have the greatest yield given their outsized role in high-risk prescribing.

Updates on Enhanced Recovery after Surgery protocols for plastic surgery of the breast and future directions

Introduction

Perioperative pain control is an important component of any plastic surgery practice. Due to the incorporation of Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) protocols, reported pain level, opioid consumption, and hospital length of stay numbers have decreased significantly. This article provides an up-to-date review of current ERAS protocols in use, reviews individual aspects of ERAS protocols, and discusses future directions for the continual improvement of ERAS protocols and control of postoperative pain.

ERAS components

ERAS protocols have proven to be excellent methods of decreasing patient pain, opioid consumption, and postanesthesia care unit (PACU) and/or inpatient length of stay. ERAS protocols have three phases: preoperative education and pre-habilitation, intraoperative anesthetic blocks, and a postoperative multimodal analgesia regimen. Intraoperative blocks consist of local anesthetic field blocks and a variety of regional blocks, with lidocaine or lidocaine cocktails. Various studies throughout the surgical literature have demonstrated the efficacy of these aspects and their relevance to the overall goal of decreasing patient pain, both in plastic surgery and other surgical fields. In addition to the individual ERAS phases, ERAS protocols have shown promise in both the inpatient and outpatient sectors of plastic surgery of the breast.

Conclusion

ERAS protocols have repeatedly been shown to provide improved patient pain control, decreased hospital or PACU length of stay, decreased opioid use, and cost savings. Although protocols have most commonly been utilized in inpatient plastic surgery procedures of the breast, emerging evidence points towards similar efficacy when used in outpatient procedures. Furthermore, this review demonstrates the efficacy of local anesthetic blocks in controlling patient pain.

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.

Efficacy of PECS block in addition to multimodal analgesia for postoperative pain management in patients undergoing outpatient elective breast surgery: A retrospective study

Background

Pectoralis nerve blocks (PECS) have been shown in numerous studies to be a safe and effective method to treat postoperative pain and reduce postoperative opioid consumption after breast surgery. However, there are few publications evaluating the PECS block effectiveness in conjunction with multimodal analgesia (MMA) in outpatient breast surgery. This retrospective study aims to evaluate the efficacy of PECS's blocks on perioperative pain management and opioid consumption.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study to assess the efficacy of preoperative PECS block in addition to preoperative MMA (oral acetaminophen and/or gabapentin) in reducing opioid consumption in adult female subjects undergoing outpatient elective breast surgery between 2015 and 2020. A total of 228 subjects were included in the study and divided in two groups: PECS block group (received PECS block + MMA) and control Group (received only MMA). The primary outcome was to compare postoperative opioid consumption between both groups. The secondary outcome was intergroup comparisons of the following: postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), incidence of rescue antiemetic medication, PACU non-opioid analgesic medication required, length of PACU stay and the incidence of 30-day postoperative complications between both groups.

Results

Two hundred and twenty-eight subjects (n = 228) were included in the study. A total of 174 subjects were allocated in the control group and 54 subjects were allocated in the PECS block group. Breast reduction and mastectomy/lumpectomy surgeries were the most commonly performed procedures (48% and 28%, respectively). The total amount of perioperative (intraoperative and PACU) MME was 27 [19, 38] in the control group and 28.5 [22, 38] in the PECS groups (p = 0.21). PACU opioid consumption was 14.3 [7, 24.5] MME for the control group and 17 [8, 23] MME (p = 0.732) for the PECS group. Lastly, the mean overall incidence of postsurgical complications at 30 days was 3% (N = 5), being wound infection, the only complication observed in the PECS groups (N = 2), and hematoma (N = 2) and wound dehiscence (N = 1) in the control group.

Conclusion

PECS block combined with MMA may not reduce intraoperative and/or PACU opioid consumption in patients undergoing outpatient elective breast surgery.

Evaluating the Efficacy of Two Regional Pain Management Modalities in Autologous Breast Reconstruction

At our institution, multimodal opiate-sparing pain management is the cornerstone of our enhanced recovery program for autologous breast reconstruction. The purpose of this study was to compare postoperative outcomes and pain control metrics following implementation of an enhanced recovery program with two different regional analgesia approaches.

Comparative Effectiveness of Transversus Abdominis Plane Blocks in Abdominally Based Autologous Breast Reconstruction: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The abdomen is the most common donor site in autologous microvascular free flap breast reconstruction and contributes significantly to postoperative pain, resulting in increased opioid use, length of stay, and hospital costs. Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols have demonstrated multiple clinical benefits, but these protocols are widely heterogeneous. Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) blocks have been reported to improve pain control and may be a key driver of the benefits seen with ERAS pathways.

METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies reporting TAP blocks for abdominally based breast reconstruction were performed. Studies were extracted from 6 public databases before February 2019 and pooled in accordance with the PROSPERO registry. Total opioid use, postoperative pain, length of stay, hospital cost, and complications were analyzed using a random effects model.

RESULTS

The initial search yielded 420 studies, ultimately narrowed to 12 studies representing 1107 total patients. Total hospital length of stay (mean difference, -1.00 days; P < 0.00001; I = 81%) and opioid requirement (mean difference, -133.80 mg of oral morphine equivalent; P < 0.00001; I = 97%) were decreased for patients receiving TAP blocks. Transversus abdominis plane blocks were not associated with any significant differences in postoperative complications (P = 0.66), hospital cost (P = 0.22), and postoperative pain (P = 0.86).

CONCLUSIONS

Optimizing postoperative pain management after abdominally based microsurgical breast reconstruction is invaluable for patient recovery. Transversus abdominis plane blocks are associated with a reduction in length of stay and opioid use, representing a safe and reasonable strategy for decreasing postoperative pain.

Adoption of Enhanced Recovery after Surgery Protocols in Breast Reconstruction in Alberta Is High before a Formal Program Implementation

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.

Background:

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) techniques have consistently demonstrated improved patient outcomes across multiple surgical specialties. We have lead international consensus guidelines on ERAS protocols for breast reconstruction and recently implemented these guidelines in Alberta. This study looks at adoption rates of ERAS pathways for breast reconstruction within Alberta, whereas also addressing barriers to ERAS implementation.

Methods:

A retrospective analysis of online operative reports in the Synoptec database consisting of patients undergoing alloplastic or autogenous breast reconstruction in Alberta was conducted. Primary outcomes of interest included whether ERAS protocols were utilized and what the reported barriers to ERAS utilization were.

Results:

Of the 372 patients undergoing breast reconstruction surgery, 215 (57%) patients were placed on an ERAS protocol. Autogenous reconstruction patients were more likely than alloplastic reconstruction patients to be placed on ERAS protocols (72% versus 53%, P = 0.002). A lack of resources was the most commonly cited reason for not adopting ERAS protocols for both autogenous and alloplastic reconstruction groups (53% and 53%). Surgeons in Southern Alberta were more likely than surgeons in Northern Alberta to utilize ERAS protocols for their alloplastic (73% versus 8%, P < 0.001) and autogenous (99% versus 4%, P < 0.001) reconstructions.

Conclusions:

Adoption of ERAS protocols in Alberta was strong (57% adherence) before a formal program implementation. We are encouraged that the recent official launch of ERAS protocols in breast reconstruction within the province will further enhance the uptake and care of this unique surgical population.

Safe anesthesia for office-based plastic surgery: Proceedings from the PRS Korea 2018 meeting in Seoul, Korea

There has been an exponential increase in plastic surgery cases over the last 20 years, surging from 2.8 million to 17.5 million cases per year. Seventy-two percent of these cases are being performed in the office-based or ambulatory setting. There are certain advantages to performing aesthetic procedures in the office, but several widely publicized fatalities and malpractice claims has put the spotlight on patient safety and the lack of uniform regulation of office-based practices. While 33 states currently have legislation for office-based surgery and anesthesia, 17 states have no mandate to report patient deaths or adverse outcomes. The literature on office-base surgery and anesthesia has demonstrated significant improvements in patient safety over the last 20 years. In the following review of the proceedings from the PRS Korea 2018 meeting, we discuss several key concepts regarding safe anesthesia for officebased cosmetic surgery. These include the safe delivery of oxygen, appropriate local anesthetic usage and the avoidance of local anesthetic toxicity, the implementation of Enhanced Recovery after Surgery protocols, multimodal analgesic techniques with less reliance on narcotic pain medications, the use of surgical safety checklists, and incorporating “the patient” into the surgical decision-making process through decision aids.

The Role of Muscle Relaxants – Spasmolytic (Thiocochlicoside) in Postoperative Pain Management after Mastectomy and Breast Reconstruction

Purpose:

Post-operative pain after breast cancer surgery is a major problem and women undergoing mastectomy and breast reconstruction experience post-operative pain syndromes in approximately one-half of all cases. Patients who have undergone breast reconstruction after mastectomy can suffer from acute postoperative pain with moderate or strong tension. In some cases, chronic neuropathic pain syndromes may occur after surgery. Opioids are used to treat pain, with serious side effects. The systemic postoperative analgesic regimen as thiocochlicoside P.O. along with paracetamol and NSAIDs I.V., which may limit the administration of opioids without reducing pain relief, seems to be necessary.

Materials and Methods:

This study was a clinical trial randomizing 70 patients undergoing breast reconstruction. Two main protocols of systematic post-operative analgesia, one using thiocochlicoside (group A) and the other without them (group B), were used. Both groups received paracetamol X3 and lornoxicam X2 I.V. systematically. The pain measurement scale (NPS) used to measure post-operative pain. Likert scales were used to evaluate patient’s satisfaction and the difficulty from the side effects . An anonymous questionnaire was used for the data collection.

Results:

Statistically significant difference was found between pain on the day of surgery (p = 0.017) as well as the three subsequent days (p = 0.000). In group A , pain was reduced directly to half (Χ² surgery pain = 93.888, p = 0.000) especially on the first post-operative day. In group A the satisfaction with analgesic treatment was higher than in group B (p = 0.002).

Conclusion:

The use of thiocochlicoside in post-operative analgesia in breast reconstruction after mastectomy contributes to reduce the pain intensity experienced by patients and to reduce the side effects of opioid analgesics as a result of reduced demand for opioid analgesics. Patients who received the analgesia using muscle relaxants-spasmolytic reported greater satisfaction.

Pectoral nerve block as a single anesthetic technique for breast surgery and sentinel lymph node investigation

Breast cancer surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia or, more recently, combined with conventional regional techniques. Pectoral nerves (PECs) block appears as an analgesic alternative in these procedures, but few studies refer to it as a single anesthetic technique^1-3. In this case report, we describe a 56-year-old female patient, BMI 31kg/m², ASA IV, admitted for elective tumorectomy of the left upper quadrant of the breast and sentinel node investigation. Given the multiple comorbidities and the high anesthetic and surgical risk, the anaesthetic plan consisted in ultrasound guided PECs II block as a single anesthetic technique. The authors report a successful anesthetic and pain management without complications in breast surgery. PECs block, as a single anesthetic technique, may be safe, advantageous and effective with haemodynamic stability and few side effects in high risk cardiac patients.

Liposome Bupivacaine Compared to Plain Local Anesthetics to Reduce Postsurgical Pain: An Updated Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Objective

Peripheral nerve blocks for postoperative analgesia have improved block success, but analgesia efficacy has been limited by the short duration of traditional local anesthetics. The results of randomized trials comparing liposome bupivacaine with conventional local anesthetic formulations (e.g., plain bupivacaine and ropivacaine) have generated conflicting results. This study was conducted to systematically review the effectiveness of analgesic efficacy of liposome bupivacaine infiltration at the surgical site versus plain local anesthetic bupivacaine or ropivacaine in patients undergoing surgery.

Methods

PRISMA statement guidelines were followed. A search of electronic databases National Library of Medicine's PubMed database, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Embase, and Google Scholar from January 2012 to September 2017 was performed. Among the 1,612 records identified, 9 randomized controlled trials involving 779 patients were eligible for data extraction and meta-analysis.

Results

Liposome bupivacaine did not reduce postsurgical pain at rest compared to plain local anesthetics at 24 and 48 hours after surgery. Moreover, liposome bupivacaine did not reduce postoperative opioid consumption at 24, 48, or 72 hours when compared to plain local anesthetics. Liposome bupivacaine did reduce postoperative nausea when compared to plain local anesthetics (P =<0.3). There was no significant difference in hospital length of stay between study groups, the use of plain bupivacaine or ropivacaine, or among orthopedic or nonorthopedic procedures. No manifestations of local anesthetic toxicity were reported.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that liposome bupivacaine does not have an analgesic advantage when compared to plain local anesthetics at the surgical site for patients undergoing surgical procedures.