Impact of intravenous acetaminophen on outcomes following radical nephrectomy.

Abstract

663 Background: Intravenous acetaminophen (IVA) was approved for use in the United States (US) for moderate to severe pain in 2010. The role of postoperative IVA following radical nephrectomy (RN) is of particular interest given the potential nephrotoxic and bleeding risks associated with other non-opioid alternatives such as parenteral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. However, given the relatively high cost of IVA versus other pain medications, the benefit of IVA in the postoperative period is unclear. We sought to determine if the use of postoperative IVA is associated with improved outcomes following RN. Methods: Using the Premier Hospital Database (Premier, Inc., Charlotte, NC), we retrospectively identified patients who underwent RN for a diagnosis of kidney cancer or renal mass in the US between 2011 and 2015. To limit confounding, only elective procedures and those with no complications (Clavien Classification of Surgical Complications score of 0) were included for analysis. Analysis was furthermore limited to patients of surgeons who either uniformly used or never used postoperative IVA. Chargemaster data for each patient was reviewed to determine use of IVA and narcotic pain medications postoperatively. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between postoperative IVA and the odds of a prolonged length of stay (LOS, top quartile). Multivariable quantile regression was used to determine the association of postoperative IVA with the use of narcotic pain medications (measured by morphine equivalents) and direct index hospitalization costs. Results: Among our cohort of 9,809 patients undergoing RN, 1,147 (11.7%) received postoperative IVA. The use of postoperative IVA was associated with a 64% decreased odds of prolonged LOS (OR 0.36, 95% CI: 0.19 to 0.69, p < 0.05). There was no significant impact of postoperative IVA on the use of narcotic pain medications or direct costs during the index hospitalization ($12,567 vs. $12,533, p > 0.05). Conclusions: The use of IVA following RN is associated with a reduced length of stay, no change in use of narcotic pain medications, and no increase in hospitalization costs.