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Reduction in opioid use and postoperative pain scores after elective laparotomy with implementation of enhanced recovery after surgery protocol on a gynecologic oncology service

Objective

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols are designed to mitigate the physiologic stress response created by surgery, to decrease the time to resumption of daily activities, and to improve overall recovery. This study aims to investigate postoperative recovery outcomes following gynecologic surgery before and after implementation of an ERAS protocol.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was performed of patients undergoing elective laparotomy at a major academic center following implementation of an ERAS protocol (11/4/2014–7/27/2016) with comparison to a historical cohort (6/23/2013–9/30/2014). The primary outcome was length of hospital stay. Secondary outcomes included surgical variables, time to recovery of baseline function, opioid usage, pain scores, and complication rates. Statistical analyses were performed using Wilcoxon rank sum, Fisher’s exact, and chi squared tests.

Results

One hundred and thirty-three women on the ERAS protocol who underwent elective laparotomy were compared with 121 historical controls. There was no difference in length of stay between cohorts (median 4 days; P = 0.71). ERAS participants had lower intraoperative (45 vs 75 oral morphine equivalents; P < 0.0001) and postoperative (45 vs 154 oral morphine equivalents; P < 0.0001) opioid use. ERAS patients reported lower maximum pain scores in the post-anesthesia care unit (three vs six; P < 0.0001) and on postoperative day 1 (four vs six; P = 0.002). There was no statistically significant difference in complication or readmission rates.

Conclusions

ERAS protocol implementation was associated with decreased intraoperative and postoperative opioid use and improved pain scores without significant changes in length of stay or complication rates.

A multi-center analysis evaluating factors associated with spinal cord stimulation outcome in chronic pain patients

BACKGROUND

In addition to its conventional use as a treatment for refractory neuropathic extremity pain, spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has recently emerged as a possible treatment for visceral and arthritic pain. But concurrent with the expansion of possible conditions amenable to SCS, other studies have questioned the long-term efficacy of SCS for traditional indications. These disparate findings argue strongly for the refinement of selection criteria. The purpose of this study is to identify correlates of outcome for SCS.

METHODS

Data were retrospectively collected on 244 patients who underwent a SCS trial at two academic medical centers. Success was predefined as ≥50% pain relief sustained for ≥6 months. Variables analyzed for their association with outcome included demographics, location of pain, diagnosis, presence of coexisting diseases, pain descriptors, opioid and adjuvant medication use, duration and pain relief during trial, and complications.

RESULTS

The presence of allodynia and/or hyperalgesia correlated with both a positive SCS trial (P = 0.01) and long-term implantation outcome (P = 0.05). History of substance abuse was associated with a negative permanent SCS outcome (P = 0.05) but bore no relationship to trial results. The variable most strongly associated with an SCS outcome was experiencing <50% pain relief during the trial, which strongly presaged a negative result (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Although weak associations with outcome were noted for several clinical variables, none was strongly associated with trial and permanent implantation results. The strongest predictor of a negative SCS outcome was obtaining <50% pain relief during the trial period.

Acute kidney injury following cardiac surgery: role of perioperative blood pressure control

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Patients who develop acute kidney injury (AKI) after cardiac surgery continue to have a high mortality rate. Although factors that predispose to postoperative renal dysfunction have been identified, this knowledge has not been associated with a substantial reduction in the incidence of this serious adverse event.

METHODS

This review uses the existing literature to explore the relationship between AKI and perioperative blood pressure (BP) control in cardiac surgery patients. The results of recent novel analyses are introduced, and the implications of these studies for the management of cardiac surgery patients in the perioperative period are discussed.

RESULTS

Preexisting isolated systolic hypertension and wide pulse pressure increase the risk of postoperative renal dysfunction in the cardiac surgery population. New data suggest that BP lability (i.e., BP excursions outside an acceptable physiologic range) during cardiac surgery may also be an important predictor of subsequent renal dysfunction.

CONCLUSION

Recently published data suggest that perioperative BP lability influences both the risk of postoperative renal dysfunction and 30-day mortality. Future studies will determine whether the use of agents that allow improved BP control within a desirable range will reduce the incidence of postoperative AKI in cardiac surgery patients.