Chronic Preoperative Opioid Use Research Articles

Impact of Chronic Opioid Use on Postoperative Mobility Recovery and Patient-Reported Outcomes: A Propensity-Matched Study

BackgroundOpioid use prior to total joint arthroplasty may be associated with poorer postoperative outcomes. However, few studies have reported the impact on postoperative recovery of mobility. We hypothesized that chronic opioid users would demonstrate impaired objective and subjective mobility recovery compared to nonusers. MethodsA secondary data analysis of a multicenter, prospective observational cohort study in which patients used a smartphone-based care management platform with a smartwatch for self-directed rehabilitation following hip or knee arthroplasty was performed. Patients were matched 2:1 based on age, body mass index, sex, procedure, Charnley class, ambulatory status, orthopedic procedure history, and anxiety. Postoperative mobility outcomes were measured by patient-reported ability to walk unassisted at 90 days, step counts, and responses to the 5-level EuroQol-5 dimension 5-level, compared by Chi-square and student’s t-tests. Unmatched cohorts were also compared to investigate the impact of matching. ResultsA total of 153 preoperative chronic opioid users were matched to 306 opioid-naïve patients. Age (61.9 ± 10.5 versus 62.1 ± 10.3, P = .90) and sex (53.6 versus 53.3% women, P = .95) were similar between groups. The proportion of people who reported walking unassisted for 90 days did not vary in the matched cohort (87.8 versus 90.7%, P = .26). Step counts were similar preoperatively and 1-month postoperatively but were lower in opioid users at 3 and 6 months postoperatively (4,823 versus 5,848, P = .03). More opioid users reported moderate to extreme problems with ambulation preoperatively on the 5-level EuroQol-5 dimension 5-level (80.6 versus 69.0%, P = .02), and at 6 months (19.2 versus 9.3%, P = .01). ConclusionsSubjective and objective measures of postoperative mobility were significantly reduced in patients who chronically used opioid medications preoperatively. Even after considering baseline factors that may affect ambulation, objective mobility metrics following arthroplasty were negatively impacted by preoperative chronic opioid use.

Association between opioid utilization and patient-reported outcome measures following lumbar spine surgery

BACKGROUND CONTEXTThe patient-reported outcomes measurement information system (PROMIS), created by the National institute of Health, is a reliable and valid survey for patients with lumbar spine pathology. Preoperative opioid use has been shown to be an important predictor variable of self-reported health status in legacy patient-reported outcome measures. PURPOSETo investigate the impact of chronic preoperative opiate use on PROMIS survey scores. STUDY DESIGNRetrospective database analysis. PATIENT SAMPLEBetween March 2019 and November 2021, 227 patients underwent lumbar decompression ± ≤ 2 level fusion. Fifty-seven patients (25.11%) had chronic preoperative opioid use. OUTCOME MEASURESOswestry disability index (ODI) and PROMIS survey scores. METHODSA retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained single center patient-reported outcome database was performed with a minimum of 2 year follow-up. PROMIS Anxiety, Depression, Fatigue, Pain Interference (PI), Physical Function (PF), Sleep disturbance (SD), and Social Roles (SR) surveys were recorded at preoperative intake with subsequent follow-up at 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively. Patients were grouped into chronic opioid users as defined by >6-month duration of use. Differences in mean survey scores were evaluated using Welch t-tests. RESULTSTwo hundred and twenty-seven patients met our inclusion criteria of completed PROMIS surveys at the designated timepoints. A total of 57 (25.11%) were chronic opioid users (COU) prior to surgery. Analysis of patient-reported health outcomes shows that long term opioid use correlated with worse ODI and PROMIS scores at baseline compared to nonchronic users (NOU). At 1 and 2 year follow-up, the COU cohort continued to have significantly worse ODI, PROMIS Fatigue, PF, PI, SD, and SR scores. There is a statistical difference in the magnitude of change in health status between the 2 cohorts at 1 year follow-up in PROMIS Depression (-5.04±7.88 vs -2.49±8.73, p=.042), PF (6.25±7.11 vs 9.03±9.04, p=.019), and PI (-7.40±7.37 vs -10.58±9.87, p=.011) and 2 year follow-up in PROMIS PF (5.58±6.84 vs 7.99±9.64, p=.041) and PI (-6.71±8.32 vs -9.62±10.06, p=.032). Mean improvement in PROMIS scores for the COU cohort at 2 year follow-up exceeded minimal clinically important difference (MCID) in all domains except PROMIS Depression, SR and SD. CONCLUSIONPatients with chronic opioid use status have worse baseline PROMIS scores compared with patients who had nonchronic use. However, patients in the COU cohort displayed clinically significant postoperative improvement in multiple PROMIS domains. These results show that patients with chronic opioid use can benefit greatly from surgical intervention and will allow physicians to better set expectations with their patients.

Duration and Magnitude of Opioid Use After Minimally Invasive Sacroiliac Joint Fusion.

Retrospective cohort study performed in a nationwide insurance claims database. To evaluate the duration and magnitude of post-operative opioid prescriptions after minimally invasive surgical sacroiliac joint fusion (MIS SIJF) as compared to other common spine surgeries. MIS SIJF has been reported to significantly improve quality of life and reduce pain. However, there is a paucity of reported data on post-operative opioid use in patients undergoing MIS SIJF for sacroiliac joint dysfunction. A nationwide insurance claims database was queried to identify 4,666 patients who underwent MIS SIJF. Patients were stratified by pre-operative opioid use: Opioid naïve, sporadic use, or chronic use were respectively defined as 0,1, or≥2 opioid prescriptions filled within 6 months prior to surgery. Duration of opioid use was defined by the time between MIS SIJF and last opioid prescription filled while magnitude of opioid use was determined by milligram morphine equivalents filled by 30 days post-operation. This opioid use data was compared to that of other common spine surgeries. Patients undergoing MIS SIJF continued to fill opioid prescriptions 1-year post-operatively at significantly higher proportions than those undergoing other common spine procedures assessed by prior literature within each of the pre-operative opioid use cohorts (chronic: 73% vs. 49-62%; P <0.0001, sporadic: 39% vs. 23-28%; P <0.0001, opioid naïve: 22% vs. 15-18%; P <0.0001). Chronic users filled the highest opiate dosages during the 30-day post-operative period, filling on average 64.75 MME/d compared to 19.75 MME/d and 24.25 MME/d by the opioid naïve and sporadic users, respectively. After MIS SIJF, opioid naïve patients use fewer opioids and for a shorter period of time compared to patients with sporadic or chronic pre-operative opioid use. MIS SIJF may result in less effective pain reduction when compared to other common spine surgeries evaluated via identical methodology. 3.

Optimizing Preoperative Chronic Pain Management in Elective Spine Surgery Patients

» Chronic preoperative opioid use negatively affects outcomes after spine surgery, with increased complications and reoperations, longer hospital stays, decreased return-to-work rates, worse patient-reported outcomes, and a higher risk of continued opioid use postoperatively.» The definition of chronic opioid use is not consistent across studies, and a more specific and consistent definition will aid in stratifying patients and understanding their risk of inferior outcomes.» Preoperative weaning periods and maximum dose thresholds are being established, which may increase the likelihood of achieving a meaningful improvement after surgery, although higher level evidence studies are needed.» Spinal cord stimulators and intrathecal drug delivery devices are increasingly used to manage chronic back pain and are equivalent or perhaps even superior to opioid treatment, although few studies exist examining how patients with these devices do after subsequent spine surgery.» Further investigation is needed to determine whether a true mechanistic explanation exists for spine-related analgesia related to spinal cord stimulators and intrathecal drug delivery devices.

239 What Happens After Surgery? Postoperative High-Risk prescribing in Patients with Chronic Opioid Use

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: Patients on chronic opioids face gaps in transitions of care in the time following surgery, increasing the risk for adverse events, specifically high-risk opioid prescribing. The objective of this study is to determine how rates of high-risk prescribing differ between patients with public and private insurance. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: A retrospective cohort study of 1,435 adult patients with preoperative chronic opioid use on Medicaid or commercial insurance who underwent surgery between November 2017 and February 2021. Patients were identified using the Michigan Surgical Quality Collaborative (MSQC) database, a collection of perioperative data from 70 hospitals across the state of Michigan. Data from the MSQC were merged with Michigan’s prescription drug monitoring program to provide additional information on pre- and postoperative opioid prescribing. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess high-risk prescribing by the presence of a preoperative usual prescriber and insurance type. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Overall, 22.7% of patients on private insurance and 23.6% of patients on Medicaid fulfilled criteria for new, postoperative high-risk prescribing. Among criteria for high-risk prescribing, multiple prescribers was the most significant contributor (private insurance: 17.4%, Medicaid: 18.9%). Patients on Medicaid insurance did not have increased odds of new postoperative high-risk prescribing (OR = 1.067, 95% CI: 0.813-1.402). While fewer patients on Medicaid had a preoperative usual prescriber (86.9% and 90.9% respectively, p = 0.015), there was no significant difference between the two insurance types in baseline rates of high-risk prescribing prior to surgery (private insurance: 43.4%, Medicaid: 46.0%, p = 0.352). DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: While we do not observe disparities in high-risk prescribing between insurance types, rates of high-risk prescribing postoperatively are high across payer types. Further studies to determine the factors driving rates of high-risk opioid prescribing among patients with chronic opioid use are needed to identify areas for future intervention.

Risks of Chronic Preoperative Opioid Use on Distal Radius Surgery Outcomes.

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of chronic preoperative opioid use on complications, reoperation rates, and postoperative opioid use among patients undergoing open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of distal radius fractures. A retrospective review of 111 patients who underwent ORIF of a distal radius fracture from 2019 to 2021 at an academic medical center by the same fellowship-trained orthopedic hand surgeon was conducted. Patient demographics, medical comorbidities, perioperative details, surgical complications, and patient-reported outcome measures were analyzed. The SCRIPTS database was used to obtain opioid prescription data. A total of 10 patients (9.01%) were identified as preoperative chronic opioid users. This group was not associated with risk of increased complication. However, they were more likely to continue using narcotics at 90 and 180 days postoperatively. Patients with a history of substance use were at an increased risk of hardware complications and prolonged postoperative pain. In addition, these patients were more likely to receive narcotics at 90 and 180 days, and to have more refills postoperatively. Patients with preoperative opioid use are not at an increased risk of surgical complication following ORIF of distal radius fractures. However, they are at an increased risk of prolonged postoperative opioid use. Patients with a known history of substance use were at an increased risk of hardware complications, prolonged pain, and increased postoperative opioid use. Surgeons should consider these associations to better manage individual patients in the postoperative period.

Feasibility of opioid-free surgery for inflammatory bowel disease.

Patients undergoing colorectal surgery or those with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are particularly at risk for opioid-related complications and progression to long-term opioid dependence. The aim of this work is to explore the real-world possibility of perioperative opioid avoidance in colorectal surgery and IBD. We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients aggregated from two prospective studies on multimodal postoperative pain control conducted at a single tertiary referral centre. All patients underwent major colorectal surgery with bowel resection. Patients with chronic preoperative opioid use were excluded. Opioid use was measured in oral morphine equivalents (OME) each postoperative day (POD) and cumulatively for the first 72 h. Our cohort of 209 patients included 148 (71%) with IBD and 61 (29%) non-IBD patients. IBD patients required significantly more opioids cumulatively over the first 72 postoperative hours compared with non-IBD patients [median OME 77 mg (interquartile range 33-148 mg) vs. 4 mg (interquartile range 17-82 mg), respectively; p= 0.001]. Five percent of IBD patients achieved opioid-free postoperative pain control during the entire 72 h postoperative period compared with 12% of non-IBD patients. Only 7% of IBD patients avoided opioid use on POD 1 compared with 20% of non-IBD patients (p= 0.02); however the number of IBD patients increased to 16% on POD 2 then 40% on POD 3, closely resembling the non-IBD cohort at 49% (p= 0.22). In the era of modern enhanced recovery protocols and minimally invasive techniques, we show that early postoperative opioid avoidance is feasible in a limited number of IBD patients after colorectal surgery.

Machine Learning Model Identifies Preoperative Opioid Use, Male Sex, and Elevated Body Mass Index as Predictive Factors for Prolonged Opioid Consumption Following Arthroscopic Meniscal Surgery

To develop a predictive machine learning model to identify prognostic factors for continued opioid prescriptions after arthroscopic meniscus surgery. Patients undergoing arthroscopic meniscal surgery, such as meniscus debridement, repair, or revision at a single institution from 2013 to 2017 were retrospectively followed up to 1 year postoperatively. Procedural details were recorded, including concomitant procedures, primary versus revision, and whether a partial debridement or a repair was performed. Intraoperative arthritis severity was measured using the Outerbridge Classification. The number of opioid prescriptions in each month was recorded. Primary analysis used was the multivariate Cox-Regression model. We then created a naïve Bayesian model, a machine learning classifier that uses Bayes' theorem with an assumption of independence between variables. A total of 581 patients were reviewed. Postoperative opioid refills occurred in 98 patients (16.9%). Multivariate logistic modeling was used; independent risk factors for opioid refills included male sex, larger body mass index, and chronic preoperative opioid use, while meniscus resection demonstrated decreased likelihood of refills. Concomitant procedures, revision procedures, and presence of arthritis graded by the Outerbridge classification were not significant predictors of postoperative opioid refills. The naïve Bayesian model for extended postoperative opioid use demonstrated good fit with our cohort with an area under the curve of 0.79, sensitivity of 94.5%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 83%, and a detection rate of 78.2%. The two most important features in the model were preoperative opioid use and male sex. After arthroscopic meniscus surgery, preoperative opioid consumption and male sex were the most significant predictors for sustained opioid use beyond 1 month postoperatively. Intraoperative arthritis was not an independent risk factor for continued refills. A machine learning algorithm performed with high accuracy, although with a high false positive rate, to function as a screening tool to identify patients filling additional narcotic prescriptions after surgery. III, retrospective comparative study.

Does Preoperative Opioid Consumption Influence Patient Satisfaction following Total Knee Arthroplasty?

Chronic opioid use prior to total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has been implicated in adverse outcomes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical outcome measures and patient satisfaction in patients with a history of preoperative chronic opioid use undergoing primary TKA. A retrospective cohort study was performed on 296 consecutive patients undergoing primary TKA. Seventy-four (25%) patients were identified with chronic preoperative opioid use (study group; 22 males, 52 females). A 3:1 matched cohort ratio of control versus study group was utilized resulting in a control group consisting of 222 patients (97 males, 125 females) without chronic opioid use prior to surgery. There was no statistically significant difference in age, BMI, or follow-up. Average follow-up was 23.4 months in the control group and 23.6 months in the study group (p = 0.87). Clinical data including patient satisfaction (Likert score), Knee Society (KS) Knee scores, KS Function scores, Forgotten Joint Score (FJS), length of stay (LOS), and complications were evaluated. Patient satisfaction at the most recent visit was 92.8% in the control group versus 83.8% in the chronic opioid group (p = 0.0016). Differences in patient-reported outcomes measures comparing the control and study cohorts included KS Function Score of 83.23 versus 75.31 (p = 0.0034). The FJS of 63.7 versus 58 (p = 0.1883) and the KS Knee Score of 89.5 versus 88.1 (p = 0.4075) were not significant. Postoperative opioid usage for the control versus the study group was 62/222 (27.9%) versus 56/74 (75.7%) at 4 to 8 weeks (p <0.0001), and 4/222 (1.80%) versus 27/74 (36.5%) at 12 months (p <0.0001). Overall complication occurrence was 18.9% in the study group versus 11.3% in the control group (p = 0.11). Patients with history of chronic preoperative opioid use had significantly lower patient satisfaction and KS Function scores and increased postoperative opioid usage at 12 months compared with patients without a history of opioid use prior to TKA.

15. Impact of chronic preoperative opioid use on complications in elderly undergoing anterior cervical discectomy and fusion

<h3>BACKGROUND CONTEXT</h3> In recent decades, overuse and misuse of opioids has led to a national epidemic of opioid-related harm in the United States, and chronic neck and back pain are a leading source of opioid prescriptions. Recent data suggest that chronic preoperative opioid use is a risk factor for complications following spine surgery as well as for postoperative opioid dependence, both of which increase health care expenditures. However, none of these studies focus on an older adult population. Older adults have shown increasing rates of opioid use disorders in recent decades and typically suffer more comorbidities and complications, and incur higher health care costs than the general population. <h3>PURPOSE</h3> This study investigated the degree to which chronic preoperative opioid use is a risk factor for postoperative complications, opioid dependence and insurance reimbursement in an older population undergoing anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). <h3>STUDY DESIGN/SETTING</h3> Retrospective database study. <h3>PATIENT SAMPLE</h3> Patients who underwent ACDF procedure. <h3>OUTCOME MEASURES</h3> Postoperative complications, postoperative opioid dependence, and insurance reimbursement. <h3>METHODS</h3> Adults over 65 years-old who underwent ACDF between 2010 and 2020 were identified using a national insurance database. Patients with infection, spinal trauma or malignancy were excluded. Chronic preoperative opioid use was defined as active opioid prescription in three or more consecutive months before surgery. Postoperative opioid dependence was defined similarly for three months postoperatively. Insurance reimbursement was measured postoperatively at 3-month and 6-month intervals. Bivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the association between chronic preoperative opioid use and postoperative complications, chronic preoperative opioid use and postoperative opioid dependence, and chronic preoperative opioid use and insurance reimbursement. <h3>RESULTS</h3> A total of 40,591 patients were included, of which 4,135 (10.2%) were prescribed chronic preoperative opioids and 25,300 (62.3%) were not prescribed any opioids preoperatively. Chronic preoperative opioid use was a risk factor for chronic opioid use postoperatively (OR=11.7, p<0.0001), readmission (OR=1.36, p<0.01), gastrointestinal complications (OR=1.36, p<0.001), and respiratory complications (OR=1.21, p<0.01). Mean reimbursements were higher for the chronic opioid group than the no opioids group at both the 3- and 6-month time points. <h3>CONCLUSIONS</h3> This study demonstrates that chronic opioid use preceding ACDF is a risk factor for multiple postoperative medical complications as well as postoperative opioid dependence in elderly patients. The data suggest that patients with chronic opioid use preoperatively are unlikely to stop using opioids after surgery. Future studies should consider additional risk factors for postoperative opioid dependence, particularly those which are common in the older population, and alternatives to opioids for pain management prior to surgery. <h3>FDA DEVICE/DRUG STATUS</h3> This abstract does not discuss or include any applicable devices or drugs.

Paper 04: The effect of prescribing patterns on utilization of opioid medication in ACL reconstruction: A randomized, prospective trial

Objectives:During the 21st century, opioid medication prescription and consumption has increased, which has led to an increase in opioid abuse, dependence, and fatal overdoses. Health care providers, particularly surgeons, have recently focused on decreasing the amount of opioids prescribed, as overprescribing is a known cause contributing to the opioid epidemic. Patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) would especially benefit for the identification of an ideal opioid prescription amount for post-op pain, as the average age of patients undergoing ACLR is 29.8 years old, which falls within the age group that experienced the largest increase in opioid related deaths between 2001 and 2016. It is unknown if prescribing patterns change patient behavior related to opioid consumption. The purpose of this randomized, prospective trial was to evaluate the effects of different quantities of prescribed opioid tablets on opioid utilization by patients, post-operative pain, and patient satisfaction following ACL reconstruction.Methods:This study was a prospective, randomized trial enrolling patients undergoing primary ACLR following ACL tear. Patients were randomly assigned to one of 3 prescription groups pre-operatively: 15 tablets, 25 tablets, or 35 tablets of oxycodone-5mg. Standard of care nerve blocks were utilized in all patients in addition to general anesthesia for the surgical procedure. Patients were instructed to take acetaminophen and NSAIDs as needed with the opioid medication to be used for “breakthrough” pain. Exclusion criteria included concomitant procedure other than meniscectomy or meniscal repair, ACL revision, history of chronic pre-operative opioid use, history of substance abuse, pregnancy, or workman’s compensation claims. Patients in all 3 groups were asked to complete pain and medication logs 2 times a day for the first 14 days post-operatively, along with an opioid medication satisfaction survey at 2 weeks, and IKDC questionnaires before surgery and up to 6 months post-operatively. Demographics and complication information were gathered from the medical record. Requests for prescription refills were recorded as well. Analysis assessed for statistical differences in post-op pain and medication usage. All usage of narcotics was verified with the state database monitoring system for narcotic pain medication.Results:One hundred thirty patients were included in the analysis (41 who received 15 oxycodone tablets, 40 who received 25 oxycodone tablets, and 49 who received 35 oxycodone tablets). There were no significant differences between the two groups in mean age at surgery (33.6 vs. 31.6 vs 33.3; P=0.328), BMI (27.7 vs 26.1 vs 25.7; P=0.525), or sex ratio (24M/17F, 20M/19F, 25M/24F; P=0.735). There were also no significant preoperative differences in subjective pain and function, as measured by IKDC scores (46.8 vs 48.7 vs 46.5; P=0.794).There were no significant differences in mean total morphine milligram equivalents (MME) consumed between the three groups (72.3 in the 15 tablet group, 61.9 in the 25 tablet group, 78.1 in the 35 tablet group; P>0.05). There was a significant difference between those who received 15 tablets and those who received 25 and 35 tablets when asked if they thought they were prescribed too few/too many narcotics, with a greater percentage of the 15 tablet group reporting that they felt they received too few at 20.6%, (P=0.05) as depicted in Figure 1. Despite this difference, there was no significant difference between the three groups on subjective morning or afternoon pain for the first 14 days after surgery, total opioid pills consumed, patient satisfaction on ability of the narcotic to treat their condition, patient satisfaction on amount of pain relief they experienced since surgery, or patient satisfaction regarding the amount of narcotics initially prescribed after surgery. Finally, there was no difference between the three groups on postoperative function at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months, as measured by IKDC scores (Figure 2).Conclusions:Despite a significantly larger portion of the group who received 15 oxycodone tablets reporting that they felt they received too few opioid tablets, there was no difference between those who received 15, 25, or 35 oxycodone-5mg tablets in reported pain levels, opioid consumption, or any satisfaction metrics. In addition, there was no difference between the three groups in pain and function as reported in the IKDC surveys. Given these results, giving lower quantities of opioid medication appears to be as effective in appropriately controlling post-operative pain as higher quantities, and may help to limit amount of opioids prescribed and possible diversion of unused prescription opioid medication.

Poster 215: Application of Machine Learning for Predicting Opioid Use After Arthroscopic Meniscal Surgery

Objectives:To identify predictive factors for continued opioid prescriptions after arthroscopic meniscal resection or repair and develop a predictive machine learning model.Methods:Patients undergoing arthroscopic meniscal surgery between August 2013 and February 2017 at a single institution were retrospectively identified. Patient demographic variables were recorded including age, sex, body mass index, and history of chronic opioid usage (> 1 month). Procedural details were recorded such as concomitant procedures, primary versus revision, and whether a partial debridement or a repair was performed. Intraoperative arthritis severity was measured using the Outerbridge Classification. Types of opioid medications prescribed and in which months were documented. For primary analysis, we used a multivariate Cox-Regression model. We then created a naïve Bayesian model, a machine learning classifier that utilizes Bayes’ theorem with an assumption of independence between the variables collected. The model randomly selected 70% of the sample to be trained on while 30% were tested.Results:A total of 735 patient were reviewed. Postoperative opioid refills occurred in 98 patients (16.9%). Using multivariate logistic modeling, independent risk factors for opioid refills included Male sex, larger BMI, chronic preoperative opioid use while meniscus resection demonstrated decreased likelihood of refills. Concomitant procedures, revisions, and presence of arthritis graded by the Outerbridge classification were not significant predictors of opioid refills. The Naïve Bayesian model for extended postoperative opioid use demonstrated good fit with our cohort with an area under the curve of 0.79, sensitivity of 94.5%, PPV of 83%, and a detection rate of 78.2%.Conclusions:After arthroscopic meniscus surgery, preoperative opioid consumption had the strongest association with sustained opioid use >1 month. Intraoperative arthritis was not an independent risk factor for continued refills. A novel machine learning algorithm performed with high accuracy and predictive ability to identify patients filling additional narcotic prescriptions after surgery.Figure 1.Cumulative hazard curve for the risk of using opioids up until 1 year postoperatively.Table 1.Multivariate logistic regression model for postoperative opioid refills.

Enhanced Recovery Protocol Associated With Decreased 3-Month Opioid Use After Thoracic Surgery

BackgroundEnhanced recovery protocols (ERPs) have been shown to decrease inhospital opioid use after thoracic surgery. However, the impact on opioid use after discharge has not been reported. We hypothesized that prolonged opioid use would decrease after implementation of a comprehensive ERP. MethodsRecords from all patients undergoing elective pulmonary, pleural, and mediastinal operations at a single institution (2015-2018) were abstracted from a prospective ERP database and The Society of Thoracic Surgeons institutional database. Records were reviewed for documentation of opioid use at 3-month and 6-month postoperative visits. Patients with preoperative chronic opioid use were excluded. Univariate analysis compared patients with and patients without 3-month opioid use, and a multivariable logistic regression evaluated independent predictors of prolonged opioid use. ResultsA total of 499 patients was included: 160 pre-ERP, and 339 post-ERP. Three-month opioid use rates were decreased after implementation of an ERP (44% vs 30%, P = .01); 6-month opioid use rates were not significantly different (25% vs 18%, P = .10). Univariate analysis demonstrated increased 3-month opioid use rates among patients with preoperative tobacco use (38% vs 27%, P = .05) and chronic pain disorder (88% vs 32%, P < .01), with no impact from surgical incision (video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery 33%; open 37%, P = .49). On multivariable analysis, participation in an ERP was independently associated with decreased opioid use at 3 months (odds ratio 0.53; 95% CI, 0.31-0.89; P = .02). ConclusionsThere is a high burden of prolonged opioid use after elective thoracic surgery. Participation in a comprehensive ERP is associated with decreased opioid use 3 months postoperatively.

Preoperative opioid use is associated with a more painful postoperative course after reverse total shoulder arthroplasty

BackgroundStudies investigating preoperative use of opioid medication and early postoperative outcomes are lacking in reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA), findings that would be relevant in the setting of bundled payment plans. This study compared patients with chronic preoperative opioid use with patients who were opioid naïve in regard to pain, opioid use, length of hospital stay, and complications after RTSA. MethodsPatients using opioids chronically (>3 months) preoperatively and those not using opioid medications before RTSA were identified through an institutional database. Visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores were recorded at the preoperative visit and 12 weeks after surgery. Oral morphine equivalents (OME) were recorded from in-hospital use, discharge, and subsequent opioid prescriptions, and a search of a statewide controlled substances monitoring database was performed during the 3-month postoperative period. The hospital length of stay and complications also were recorded. Statistical analyses for preoperative and postoperative measurements were performed using Mann-Whitney testing. Differences with P < .05 were considered statistically significant. ResultsThere were 55 patients with chronic preoperative opioid use and 134 nonusers included in the study. Preoperative VAS scores (6.7 vs. 5.6; P = .01) were found to be higher for the opioid group. At 3 months postoperatively, VAS (3.5 vs. 1.9; P = .04) was again found to be higher for the opioid group. However, the degree of improvement in VAS (4.1 vs. 3.6; P = .65) was similar between groups. The amount of inpatient OME (66.6 vs. 55; P = .76) and postdischarge OME (606 vs. 559; P = .76) consumed were similar between groups. The cumulative 3-month postoperative OME use (1457 vs. 569; P = .07) was higher in the opioid group and trended toward statistical significance. No differences were noted in the length of stay between the 2 groups, with each averaging 2.3 days. Complication rates were similar between the 2 groups in the 90-day episode of care (9.1% vs. 10.4%). ConclusionThese results indicate that chronic preoperative opioid use is associated with increased postoperative pain after RTSA, although VAS improvement was similar to narcotic-naïve patients. Furthermore, cumulative OME usage only trended toward statistical significance but, nevertheless, reflected an over 2.5-fold increased requirement in the group of patients using opioids preoperatively. Although opioid users did not require substantially more perioperative resources, these data can be used to further counsel patients regarding opioid use, manage postoperative expectations, and aid in risk stratification during the evolution of bundled payments and the transition to value-based care. Level of EvidenceLevel III; Retrospective Case-Control Treatment Study

Identifying Predictors for Early Percutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulator Explant at One and Two Years: A Retrospective Database Analysis

ObjectivesPlacement of percutaneous spinal cord stimulator (SCS) implant has become a therapeutic option for various chronic pain conditions; however, early surgical explant still occurs. Unfortunately, evidence regarding the incidence of early surgical explant, and patient-specific factors and comorbidities associated with such, is limited and mixed. The objective of this retrospective analysis was to elucidate the incidence and predictors of percutaneous SCS explant within the first two years of device placement. Materials and MethodsThe PearlDiver-Mariner Patient Record Database of all payer claims was used to identify patients who underwent percutaneous lead SCS implant (leads and generator) with subsequent explant within two years of initial device implant. The primary outcome was to determine the incidence of SCS explant within the first two years of device placement. Secondary outcomes included evaluating the effects of several patient-specific comorbidities on explant rates using univariate regression analysis. ResultsAcross the database, a total of 52,070 patients who underwent percutaneous lead SCS implant were included, of whom 3104 (5.96%) had SCS explant within the first two years. Most explants occurred within the first-year time interval at 72.8% (2260 patients), whereas only 27.2% (844 patients) had SCS explant between years one and two. At the one-year time interval, covariates associated with an increased odds ratio (OR) (95% CI) of SCS explant were 1) depression (1.39 [1.26, 1.52]), 2) chronic preoperative (1.27 [1.16, 1.39]) or postoperative (1.23 [1,13, 1.36]) opioid use, 3) cannabis abuse (1.58 [1.20, 2.02]), 4) tobacco use (1.13 [1.04, 1.23]), and 5) coagulopathy (1.22 [1.07, 1.38]). In contrast, the OR of explant was lower in patients who were older, men, or had diabetes (complicated or uncomplicated). All associated covariates became nonsignificant after the first year of SCS implant (ie, between the first and second years), and only depression and tobacco use remained as associated factors for device explant. ConclusionsOur retrospective analysis highlights that the rate of percutaneous SCS explant appears to considerably decrease after the first year of device implant. Furthermore, this analysis sheds additional insights into patients who may be at risk of early percutaneous SCS explant, especially within the first year of device placement, and underscores the importance of a continued multidimensional/biopsychologic assessment in patients with chronic pain.

Preoperative Opioid Dose and Surgical Outcomes in Colorectal Surgery.

The worsening opioid epidemic has led to an increased number of surgical patients with chronic preoperative opioid use. However, the impact of opioids on perioperative outcomes has yet to be fully elucidated. The purpose of this study was to assess the association between preoperative opioid dose and surgical outcomes among colectomy patients. Adult colectomy patients in the IBM MarketScan database (2010-2017) were stratified based on preoperative opioid dose, calculated as the average opioid dose in morphine milligram equivalents (MME) in the 90 days prior to surgery: 0 MME, 1 to 49 MME, and 50 or more MME. The association between preoperative opioid dose and anastomotic leak, the primary outcome of interest, as well as other postoperative complications, was assessed using multivariable regression. Among 45,515 adult colectomy patients, 71.4% did not use opioids (0 MME), 27.4% had an opioid dose between 1 and 49 MME, and 1.2% had an opioid dose at or above 50 MME. Patients with preoperative opioid use exhibited a higher incidence of anastomotic leak (0 MME: 4.8%, 1-49 MME: 5.5%, ≥50 MME: 8.3%; p trend = 0.001). Multivariable analysis demonstrated a dose-response relationship between preoperative opioids and surgical outcomes, as the odds of anastomotic leak worsened with increasing opioid dose (1-49 MME: OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.08-1.31, p < 0.001; ≥50 MME: OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.20-2.24, p = 0.002). Similar dose-response relationships were seen after risk-adjustment for lung complications, pneumonia, delirium, and 30-day readmission (p < 0.05 for all). Providers should exercise caution when prescribing opioids preoperatively, as increasing doses of preoperative opioids were associated with worse surgical outcomes and higher 30-day readmission among adult colectomy patients.

Risks of Preoperative Opioid Therapy on Forefoot and Hindfoot Surgery Success

Category:Hindfoot; Midfoot/ForefootIntroduction/Purpose:Past studies in total joint arthroplasty and orthopaedic trauma have found that preoperative opioid therapy correlates with increased postoperative opioid use and lesser surgical outcomes. To date, these trends have not been studied in cases of forefoot or hindfoot foot and ankle surgery. We hypothesized that patients with preoperative chronic opioid use would have increased likelihood of postoperative opioid use, complications, and re-operation.Methods:A retrospective review was conducted of forefoot, midfoot and hindfoot surgeries performed from January 2015- September 2020 by a fellowship trained foot and ankle surgeon at an academic medical center. Pre- and postoperative opioid and other analgesic use, medical history, demographic data, operative treatment, and surgical outcomes were reviewed. Records of preoperative opioid use were limited to 50 patients, 90-day postoperative opioid use to 60 patients, and 180-day postoperative opioid use to 69 patients. A total of 149 patients (female=102, male=47) with a mean BMI of 30.87 and mean follow-up up of 1.2 years were included. Of the patients undergoing hindfoot, midfoot, or forefoot arthrodesis, 71/79 joints went on to union, while there were 8 non-unions (3 sub-talar, 2 metatarsophalangeal, 1 tibiotalar, 1 talo-navicular, and 1 calcaneocuboid). The most common procedures were hammertoe correction and Achilles tendon repair. Statistical analysis was performed using correlation, linear multivariate regression, and one-way ANOVA.Results:Preoperative opioid use was statistically significantly associated with loss to follow-up (users=10.0%, non-users=0.0%; p=.044) and continued postoperative opioid use at 90 (92%; p<.001) and 180 days (94%; p<.001). Preoperative benzodiazepine use was significantly associated with continued postoperative benzodiazepine use at 90 (20%; p<.001) and 180 days (26%; p<.001). Of comorbidities, diabetes (p=.007) and psychiatric disease (p=.025) were significant predictors of postoperative opioid use.Psychiatric disease was also a significant predictor of postoperative benzodiazepine use (p=.026). Postoperative opioid use significantly differed by surgical indication (post-traumatic=20.52 MME, prior procedure(s)=232.51 MME, instability=7.64 MME, osteomyelitis=4.67 MME; p<.001), but postoperative benzodiazepine use did not. Additionally, follow-up duration significantly differed by operated area (hindfoot=1.48 years, forefoot=0.92 years, both=3.02 years; p<.001).Conclusion:We found that patients with preoperative opioid use have statistically significantly higher rates of loss to follow-up and continued postoperative opioid use. We also found that on average, patients with a history of prior procedures on the forefoot and/or hindfoot require statistically significantly more narcotics than those with a history of post-traumatic injuries, instability, or osteomyelitis. Patients and surgeons should be aware of this data to help appropriately council patients on post- operative expectations.

Prevalence of chronic opioid use in patients with peripheral arterial disease undergoing revascularization.

Opiate use, dependence, and the associated morbidity and mortality are major current public health problems in the United States. Little is known about patterns of opioid use in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence of chronic preoperative and postoperative prescription opioid use in patients with PAD. A secondary aim was to determine the demographic, comorbid conditions, and operative characteristics associated with chronic opioid use. Using a single-institution database of patients with PAD undergoing open or endovascular lower extremity intervention from 2013 to 2014, data regarding opiate use and associated conditions were abstracted for analysis. Patients were excluded if they did not live in North Carolina or surgery was not for PAD. Preoperative (PreCOU) and postoperative chronic opioid use (PostCOU) were defined as consistent opioid prescription filling in the 3months before and after the index procedure, respectively. Opioid prescription filling was assessed using the North Carolina Controlled Substance Reporting System. Demographics, comorbid conditions, other adjunct pain medication data, and operative characteristics were abstracted from our institutional electronic medical record. Associations with PreCOU were evaluated using the t test, Wilcoxon test, or two-sample median test (continuous), or the χ2 or Fisher exact tests (categorical). A total of 202 patients undergoing open (108; 53.5%) or endovascular (94; 46.5%) revascularization for claudication or critical limb ischemia were identified for analysis. The mean age was 64.6years, and 36% were female. Claudication was the indication for revascularization in 26.7% of patients, and critical limb ischemia was the indication in 73.3% of patients. The median preoperative ankle-brachial index (ABI) was 0.50. Sixty-eight patients (34%) met the definition for PreCOU. PreCOU was associated with female gender, history of chronic musculoskeletal pain, benzodiazepine use, and self-reported illicit drug use. Less than 50% of patients reported use of non-opiate adjunct pain medications. No association was observed between PreCOU and pre- or postoperative ABI, or number of prior lower extremity interventions. Following revascularization, the median ABI was 0.88. PreCOU was not associated with significant differences in postoperative complications, length of stay, or mortality. Overall, 71 patients (35%) met the definition for PostCOU, 14 of whom had no history of preoperative chronic opiate use. Ten patients with PreCOU did not demonstrate PostCOU. Chronic opiate use was common in patients with PAD with a prevalence of approximately 35%, both prior to and following revascularization. Revascularization was associated with a termination of chronic opiate use in less than 15% of patients with PreCOU. Additionally, 10% of patients who did not use opiates chronically before their revascularization did so afterwards. Patients with PAD requiring intervention represent a high-risk group with regards to chronic opiate use. Increased diligence in identifying opioid use among patients with PAD and optimizing the use of non-narcotic adjunct pain medications may result in a lower prevalence of chronic opiate use and its attendant adverse effects.

Effect of Preoperative Chronic Opioid Use on Mortality and Morbidity in Vascular Surgical Patients

IntroductionOpioid derivates are an essential part of everyday clinical pain management practice. They have excellent analgesic, sedative, and sympatholytic effects and are widely used in various conditions. Beyond advantageous aspects, there are numerous problems with the chronic use of these agents. Dependency and life-threatening complications are the biggest problems with both illegal and prescribed opioid derivates. In our current study, effects of chronic opioid use were observed on mortality and life quality in the case of vascular surgery.MethodsThis prospective, observational study was conducted between 2014 and 2017. After obtaining informed consent, all participants were asked to fill a questionnaire containing different psychological tests. Perioperative data, chronic medical therapy, and anthropometric data were also collected. Opioid user and non-user patients’ psychological results were compared with non-parametrical tests. The effect of chronic opioid administration was investigated with logistic regression method with bootstrapping.ResultsFinally, the data of 164 patients were analyzed. 64.0% of participants were male, the mean age was 67.05 years, and the standard deviation was 9.48 years. The median follow-up time was 1312 days [interquartile range (IQR): 930-1582 days]. During the follow-up time, 42 patients died (25.6%). In the examined patient cohort, the frequency of opioid derivate use was 3.7% (only six patients). In the non-survived group, opioid use was significantly higher (1.6% vs. 9.5%, p=0.019). Significant differences were found in the aspect of cognitive performance measured by Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), opioid users have had lower points [25.5 (IQR: 24.5-26.0) vs. 28.0 (IQR: 27.0-29.0) p=0.008]. Opioid users have showed higher score on Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) [15.5 (IQR: 10.0-18.0) vs. 6.0 (IQR: 3.0-11.0), p=0.030). In a multivariate Cox regression model built up from registered preoperative medical treatment, opioids were found as a risk factor for all-cause mortality [adjusted hazard ratio (AHR): 4.31, 95% CI: 1.77-10.55, p=0.001].ConclusionOur current findings suggest that chronic, preoperative use of opioids could associate with increased mortality. Furthermore, both decrease in cognitive performance and increased depression symptoms were found in the opioid user cohorts which emphasize the importance of further risk stratification of these patients.

Patterns of pre-operative opioid use affect the risk for complications after total joint replacement

Preoperative opioid use has been shown to increase the risk for complications following total joint arthroplasty (TJA); however, these studies have not always accounted for differences in co-morbidities and socio-demographics between patients that use opioids and those that do not. They have also not accounted for the variation in degree of pre-operative use. The objective of this study was to determine if preoperative opioid use is associated with risk for surgical complications after TJA, and if this association varied by degree of use. Population-based retrospective cohort study. Older adult patients undergoing primary TJA of the hip, knee and shoulder for osteoarthritis between 2002 and 2015 in Ontario, Canada were identified. Using accepted definitions, patients were stratified into three groups according to their preoperative opioid use: no use, intermittent use and chronic use. The primary outcome was the occurrence of a composite surgical complication (surgical site infection, dislocation, revision arthroplasty) or death within a year of surgery. Intermittent and chronic users were matched separately to non-users in a 1:1 ratio, matching on TJA type plus a propensity score incorporating patient and provider factors. Overall, 108,067 patients were included in the study; 10% (N = 10,441) used opioids on a chronic basis before surgery and 35% (N = 37,668) used them intermittently. After matching, chronic pre-operative opioid use was associated with an increased risk for complications after TJA (HR 1.44, p = 0.001) relative to non-users. Overall, less than half of patients undergoing TJA used opioids in the year preceding surgery; the majority used them only intermittently. While chronic pre-operative opioid use is associated with an increased risk for complications after TJA, intermitted pre-operative use is not.