Can We Eliminate Opioid Medications for Postoperative Pain Control? A Prospective, Surgeon-Blinded, Randomized Controlled Trial in Knee Arthroscopic Surgery

Decoding behaviour change techniques in opioid deprescribing strategies following major surgery: a systematic review of interventions to reduce postoperative opioid use

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

METHODS: A structured search strategy encompassing databases including MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL Plus, PsycINFO and Cochrane Library was implemented from inception to October 2023. Included studies focused on interventions targeting opioid reduction in adults following major surgeries. The risk of bias was evaluated using Cochrane risk-of-bias tool V.2 (RoB 2) and non-randomised studies of interventions (ROBINS-I) tools, and Cohen's d effect sizes were calculated. BCTs were identified using a validated taxonomy.

RESULTS

22 studies, comprising 7 clinical trials and 15 cohort studies, were included, with varying risks of bias. Educational (n=12), guideline-focused (n=3), multifaceted (n=5) and pharmacist-led (n=2) interventions demonstrated diverse effect sizes (small-medium n=10, large n=12). A total of 23 unique BCTs were identified across studies, occurring 140 times. No significant association was observed between the number of BCTs and effect size, and interventions with large effect sizes predominantly targeted healthcare professionals. Key BCTs in interventions with the largest effect sizes included behaviour instructions, behaviour substitution, goal setting (outcome), social support (practical), social support (unspecified), pharmacological support, prompts/cues, feedback on behaviour, environmental modification, graded tasks, outcome goal review, health consequences information, action planning, social comparison, credible source, outcome feedback and social reward.

CONCLUSIONS

Understanding the dominant BCTs in highly effective interventions provides valuable insights for future opioid tapering strategy implementations. Further research and validation are necessary to establish associations between BCTs and effectiveness, considering additional influencing factors.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42022290060.

Self-defined former smokers consume the highest opioid quantities following knee and shoulder arthroscopy

PURPOSE

To identify risk factors associated with increased postoperative opioid consumption and inferior pain outcomes following knee and shoulder arthroscopy.

METHODS

Using the data set from the NonOpioid Prescriptions after Arthroscopic Surgery in Canada (NO PAin) trial, eight prognostic factors were chosen a priori to evaluate their effect on opioid consumption and patient-reported pain following arthroscopic knee and shoulder surgery. The primary outcome was the number of oral morphine equivalents (OMEs) consumed at 2 and 6 weeks postoperatively. The secondary outcome was patient-reported postoperative pain using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at 2 and 6 weeks postoperatively. A multivariable linear regression was used to analyse these outcomes with eight prognostic factors as independent variables.

RESULTS

Tobacco usage was significantly associated with higher opioid usage at 2 (p < 0.001) and 6 weeks (p = 0.02) postoperatively. Former tobacco users had a higher 2-week (p = 0.002) and cumulative OME (p = 0.002) consumption compared to current and nonsmokers. Patients with a higher number of comorbidities (p = 0.006) and those who were employed (p = 0.006) reported higher pain scores at 6 weeks. Patients in the 'not employed/other' category had significantly lower pain scores at 6 weeks postoperatively (p = 0.046).

CONCLUSION

Former smoking status was significantly associated with increased post-operative opioid consumption following knee and shoulder arthroscopy at 2 and 6 weeks postoperatively. Increased pain was found to be significantly associated with employment status and an increasing number of comorbidities at 6 weeks postoperatively. These findings can aid clinicians in identifying and mitigating increased opioid utilization as well as worse pain outcomes in high-risk patient populations.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, cohort study.

Examining the Evidence Regarding Smoking and Patient Outcomes for Isolated Meniscus Pathology: A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Smoking is a well-known cause of impairment in wound healing and postoperative outcomes; however, its effects on treating meniscus issues remain unclear. This study assesses the relationship between smoking and meniscus treatment outcomes. PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, and CINAHL were searched from inception to 24 December 2023. Inclusion criteria encompassed studies examining smoking's impact on patient outcomes regarding meniscus pathology. A secondary PubMed search targeted randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in the top ten orthopedic journals focusing on meniscus pathology and smoking as a demographic variable. Meta-analysis of six studies (n = 528) assessed meniscus failure rate based on smoking status. Eighteen observational studies (n = 8353 patients; 53.25% male; mean age: 51.35 ± 11.53 years; follow-up: 184.11 ± 117.34 months) were analyzed, covering meniscus repair, meniscectomy, allograft transplant, conservative care, and arthroscopy. Results showed four studies (36.36%) linked smoking with worse meniscus repair outcomes, while seven studies (63.64%) did not find significant associations. Meta-analysis from six studies showed no significant impact of smoking on repair failure (p = 0.118). Regarding meniscectomy, one study (33.33%) identified a significant association with smoking, but two did not. Only one (3.8%) of the RCTs in leading orthopedic journals included smoking as a factor. The evidence on smoking's effect on meniscus treatment is mixed, necessitating further investigation.

Access to an Educational Video Preoperatively Has No Effect on Postoperative Opioid Use After Arthroscopic Partial Meniscectomy of the Knee: A Prospective Cohort Study

Purpose

To determine whether access to a website with an educational video would decrease postoperative opioid use in patients undergoing arthroscopic partial meniscectomy.

Methods

Enrolled patients who underwent arthroscopic partial meniscectomy at a single center were randomized to either the intervention or control group prior to surgery. The intervention group received a card with access to an online educational video regarding opioids with their postoperative instructions; the control group did not. The online video was just over 5 minutes long and contained general information about the dangers of opioid use, how to safely dispose of unused opioids, and local support contact information. Data were collected by telephone 10 to 14 days postoperatively and analyzed with GraphPad Prism version 9.5.0. Patient characteristics including age, sex, body mass index, allergies, smoking, depression, alcohol abuse, American Society of Anesthesiologists level, diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension, diabetes, substance abuse, employment status, workers' compensation, and sports participation were analyzed and correlated with postoperative opioid use.

Results

A total of 166 patients were included in this study, with 78 in the control group and 88 in the intervention group. Mean number of pills consumed was 3 in the control group and 2.2 in the intervention group. This difference did not reach statistical significance. Patients who were obese, smokers, or diagnosed with depression both consumed more opioids and were less likely to take no narcotics postoperatively. Patients who participated in sports consumed fewer total opioids on average than those who did not. Subgroup analysis of patients with higher risk factors did not show a difference between the control and intervention groups in the average amount of opioid used or the likelihood of using no narcotics. Among all patients, 82 (49%) used no narcotics postoperatively and 90% used 8 or fewer tablets.

Conclusions

Directing patients to an educational website and video is not an effective tool in decreasing opioid consumption. Patients undergoing arthroscopic meniscectomy who are obese, active smokers, and clinically depressed or do not participate in sports are likely to use more postoperative narcotics. Regardless of access to the online educational video, half of patients used no narcotics.

Level of Evidence

Level II, prospective cohort.

Arthroscopy Association of Canada Position Statement on Opioid Prescription After Arthroscopic Surgery

Background

Despite the ongoing opioid epidemic, most patients are still prescribed a significant number of opioid medications for pain management after arthroscopic surgery. There is a need for consensus among orthopaedic surgeons and solutions to aid providers in analgesic strategies that reduce the use of opioid pain medications.

Purpose

This position statement was developed with a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of exclusively randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to synthesize the best available evidence for managing acute postoperative pain after arthroscopic surgery.

Study Design

Position statement.

Methods

The Embase, MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched from inception until August 10, 2022. Keywords included arthroscopy, opioids, analgesia, and pain, and associated variations. We included exclusively RCTs on adult patients to gather the best available evidence for managing acute postoperative pain after arthroscopic surgery. Patient characteristics, pain, and opioid data were extracted, data were analyzed, and trial bias was evaluated.

Results

A total of 21 RCTs were identified related to the prescription of opioid-sparing pain medication after arthroscopic surgery. The following recommendations regarding noninvasive, postoperative pain management strategies were made: (1) multimodal oral nonopioid analgesic regimens-including at least 1 of acetaminophen-a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-can significantly reduce opioid consumption with no change in pain scores; (2) cryotherapy is likely to help with pain management, although the evidence on the optimal method of application (continuous-flow vs ice pack application) is unclear; (3) and (4) limited RCT evidence supports the efficacy of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and relaxation exercises in reducing opioid consumption after arthroscopy; and (5) limited RCT evidence exists against the efficacy of transdermal lidocaine patches in reducing opioid consumption.

Conclusion

A range of nonopioid strategies exist that can reduce postarthroscopic procedural opioid consumption with equivalent vocal pain outcomes. Optimal strategies include multimodal analgesia with education and restricted/reduced opioid prescription.

Opioid-Sparing Strategies in Arthroscopic Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

BACKGROUND

Opioid overprescription is a problem in orthopaedic surgery. Arthroscopic surgery, given its minimally invasive nature, represents an opportunity to minimize opioid prescription and consumption by using effective pain management adjuncts. Thus, the primary question posed in this study was which noninvasive pain management modalities can effectively manage pain and reduce opioid intake after arthroscopic surgery.

METHODS

The databases PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched on August 10, 2022. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating noninvasive pain management strategies in arthroscopy patients were evaluated. Eligible studies were selected through a systematic screening process. Meta-analysis was performed for pain scores and opioid consumption at time points which had sufficient data available.

RESULTS

Twenty-one RCTs were included, with a total of 2,148 patients undergoing shoulder, knee, and hip arthroscopy. Meta-analysis comparing nonopioid, oral analgesic regimens, with or without patient education components, with the standard of care or placebo demonstrated no difference in pain scores at 24 hours, 4 to 7 days, or 14 days postoperatively. Nonopioid regimens also resulted in significantly lower opioid consumption in the first 24 hours postoperatively (mean difference, -37.02 mg oral morphine equivalents, 95% confidence interval, -74.01 to -0.03). Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), cryotherapy, and zolpidem were also found to effectively manage pain and reduce opioid use in a limited number of studies.

CONCLUSIONS

A range of noninvasive pain management strategies exist to manage pain and reduce opioid use after arthroscopic procedures. The strongest evidence base supports the use of multimodal nonopioid oral analgesics, with some studies incorporating patient education components. Some evidence supports the efficacy of TENS, cryotherapy, and nonbenzodiazepine sleeping aids. Direction from governing bodies is an important next step to incorporate these adjuncts into routine clinical practice to manage pain and reduce the amount of opioids prescribed and consumed after arthroscopic surgery.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level II, systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of the levels of evidence.

New prolonged opioid consumption after major surgery in Sweden: a population-based retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE

Given that long-term opioid usage is an important problem worldwide and postsurgical pain is a common indication for opioid prescription, our primary objective was to describe the frequency of new prolonged opioid consumption after major surgery in Sweden and, second, to evaluate potential associated risk factors.

DESIGN

Cohort study including data from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2014. Data regarding surgical procedures, baseline characteristics and outcomes was retrieved from the Orbit surgical planning system, the Swedish national patient register and the Swedish cause of death register.

SETTING

Observational multicentre cohort study with data from 23 Swedish hospitals.

PARTICIPANTS

We included 216 877 patients aged ≥18 years, undergoing non-cardiac surgery, not exposed to opioids 180 days before and alive 12 months after surgery.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary endpoint was collection of at least three opioid prescriptions during the first postoperative year; within 90 days, day 91-180 and 181-365 after surgery in a previously opioid-naïve patient. Second, multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to explore potential risk factors associated with prolonged opioid use.

RESULTS

Of the 216 877 patients identified to undergo analysis, 15 081 (7.0%) developed new prolonged opioid consumption. Several risk factors were identified. Having a history of psychiatric disease was identified as the strongest risk factor (adjusted odds ratio: 1.94; 95% CI: 1.87 to 2.00).

CONCLUSION

In a large Swedish cohort of surgical patients, 7% developed new prolonged opioid consumption after major surgery. Our data on susceptible patients could help clinicians reduce the number of prolonged opioid users by adapting their analgesic and preventative strategies.

Predictors of low and high opioid tablet consumption after inguinal hernia repair: an ACHQC opioid reduction task force analysis

PURPOSE

Prescribing and consumption of opioids remain highly variable. Using a national hernia registry, we aimed to identify patient and surgery specific factors associated with low and high opioid tablet consumption after inguinal hernia repair.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cross-sectional study evaluating patients undergoing elective inguinal hernia repair with 30-day follow-up and patient-reported opioid consumption from March 2019 to March 2021 using the Abdominal Core Health Quality Collaborative. Clinically significant patient demographics, comorbidities, operative details, quality-of-life measurements, and surgeon prescribing data were entered into a multivariable logistic regression model to identify statistically significant predictors of patients who took no opioid tablets or >10 tablets.

RESULTS

A total of 1937 patients were analyzed. Operations included 59% laparoscopic or robotic, 35% open mesh, and 6% open non-mesh repairs. Of these patients, 50% reported taking zero, 42% took 1-10, and 8% took ≥10 opioid tablets at 30-day follow-up. Patients who were older (OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.34-1.79, p-value <0.001), ASA ≤ 2 (OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.2-2.01, p-value <0.001), had no preoperative opioid use at baseline (OR 2.29, 95% CI 1.31-4.03, p-value = 0.004), had local anesthetic with general anesthesia (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.0.5-1.85, p-value = 0.022), or prescribed <7 opioid tablets (OR 2.27, 95% CI 1.96-2.62, p-value <0.001) were more likely to take no opioid tablets.

CONCLUSION

Older, healthier, opioid naïve patients with local anesthetic administered during elective inguinal hernia repair are most likely to not require opioids. Surgeon prescribing-arguably the most modifiable factor-independently correlates with both low and high opioid consumption.

Prolonged Postoperative Opioid Use After Arthroscopic Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome Surgery: Predictors and Outcomes at Minimum 2-Year Follow-up

Background:

The association between prolonged postoperative opioid use on outcomes after hip preservation surgery is not known.

Purpose:

To compare minimum 2-year patient-reported outcomes (PROs) between patients who required ≥1 postoperative opioid refill after undergoing hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) versus patients who did not require a refill and to identify preoperative predictors for patients requiring ≥1 postoperative opioid refill.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Data from consecutive patients who underwent arthroscopic surgery for FAIS between January 2012 and January 2017 were analyzed. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to classify patient and radiographic variables as predictive of requiring ≥1 opioid prescription refill after surgery. Patients completed the following PROs preoperatively and at 2-year follow-up: Hip Outcome Score— Activities of Daily Living subscale (HOS-ADL), HOS–Sports Subscale (HOS-SS), modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), International Hip Outcome Tool (iHOT-12), and 100-point visual analog scale (VAS) for pain and satisfaction. Scores were compared between patients needing additional prescription opioids and those who did not.

Results:

A total of 775 patients, of whom 141 (18.2%) required ≥1 opioid prescription refill, were included in the analysis. Patients requiring opioid refills had significantly lower 2-year postoperative PRO scores compared with patients not requiring refills: HOS-ADL (79.9 ± 20.3 vs 88.7 ± 14.9), HOS-SS (64.6 ± 29.5 vs 78.2 ± 23.7), mHHS (74.2 ± 21.1 vs 83.6 ± 15.9), iHOT-12 (63.6 ± 27.9 vs 74.9 ± 24.8), and VAS satisfaction (73.4 ± 30.3 vs 82.2 ± 24.9), as well as significantly more pain (26.8 ± 23.4 vs 17.9 ± 21.8) (P ≤ .001 for all). Predictors of requiring a postoperative opioid refill included patients with active preoperative opioid use (odds ratio, 3.12 [95% confidence interval, 1.06-9.21]; P = .039) and larger preoperative alpha angles (odds ratio, 1.04 [95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.07]; P = .03).

Conclusion:

Patients requiring ≥1 opioid prescription refill after hip arthroscopy for FAIS had lower preoperative and 2-year PRO scores when compared with patients not requiring refills. Additionally, active opioid use at the time of surgery was found to be predictive of requiring additional opioids for pain management.

Editorial Commentary: Opioid Sparing Through Patient Education Programs Is the Future for Sports Medicine and Arthroscopic Surgery to Optimize Outcome

Opioid research in sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery has exploded in the last few years. The literature definitively shows that preoperative opioid usage-in so-called opioid exposed, tolerant, and familiar patients-increases postoperative usage, readmission rates, and medical complications, yielding poorer outcome. Strategies to combat the deleterious effects of preoperative opioid use should be used to include ownership and acknowledgment of the problem, adherence to opioid prescribing protocols, and use of a multimodal anesthesia program that can mitigate the adverse effects by limiting abuse and preventing potential poor outcome. Adding patient education programs to change patient modifiable risk factors shows promise while simultaneously optimizing appropriate patient expectations that are linked to increased outcome. Thus, opioid mitigation, sparing, or altogether avoidance through improved education programs and opioid prescribing protocols will likely be the future of sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery to optimize patient outcome.