Multimodal Pain Management Regimen Research Articles

Real-world assessment of longitudinal opioid use and healthcare resource utilization in patients undergoing colorectal resection

Liposomal bupivacaine (LB) has been used in multimodal pain management regimens to improve postsurgical analgesia. This retrospective cohort analysis assessed clinical and economic outcomes of LB vs non-LB analgesia in minimally invasive colorectal resection surgery using real-world patient data from the IQVIA linkage claims databases. Patients who received LB were 1:1 matched to patients who did not receive LB (non-LB) via propensity scores. Outcomes included opioid use during the perioperative (2 weeks before surgery to 2 weeks after discharge), continued (>2 weeks to 3 months after discharge), and persistent (>3 months to 6 months after discharge) periods and healthcare resource utilization (HRU) during the first 3 months after discharge. Mean opioid consumption was lower in the LB (n = 4397) versus non-LB (n = 4397) cohort perioperatively (483 vs 538 morphine milligram equivalents [MMEs]; P = 0.001) and after discharge within ∼3 months (222 vs 328 MMEs; P < 0.0001) and 3–6 months (245 vs 384 MMEs; P < 0.0001). The LB cohort had shorter mean length of stay (5.2 vs 5.7 days; P < 0.0001) and fewer inpatient readmissions (odds ratio [OR], 0.71; P < 0.0001), emergency department visits (OR, 0.78; P < 0.0001), and outpatient/office visits (OR, 0.91; P = 0.028) than the non-LB cohort 3 months after discharge. These data suggest use of LB in minimally invasive colorectal resection surgery may reduce perioperative and postdischarge opioid use as well as HRU. Although additional studies are needed to confirm these findings, this analysis provides valuable real-world data from large claims databases to evaluate clinical and economic outcomes that complement other types of retrospective and prospective studies.

Effectiveness of Postoperative Single-shot and Continuous Transverse Abdominis Plane Block Compared to Conventional Analgesia in Hand-assisted Laparoscopic Live-donor Nephrectomy.

Few studies have evaluated the efficacy of transverse abdominis plane (TAP) block in patients undergoing hand-assisted laparoscopic live-donor nephrectomy (HALN). We aimed to evaluate the analgesic effectiveness of TAP block as part of a multimodal pain management regimen in patients undergoing HALN. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of living kidney donors at our center between June 2016 and February 2020. HALNs were performed via a transperitoneal approach through a suprapubic incision. Additional laparoscopic ports were used in the upper midabdomen. In consenting donors, TAP block was performed postoperatively under ultrasound guidance with either a single-shot or continuous infusion of long-acting local anesthetic (0.2%-0.5% ropivacaine). All the patients received postoperative around-the-clock ketorolac and acetaminophen. Overall, 72 donors received the block (block group, 38 single-shot, 34 continuous), whereas 86 donors did not receive the block (control group). Baseline characteristics were comparable between the groups except for body weight (control: 71.8 ± 13.3 versus block: 77.8 ± 17.3 kg; P = 0.01) and intraoperative opioid dose (32.1 ± 9.6 versus 26.6 ± 10.7 morphine milligram equivalents; P < 0.001). After adjusting for baseline differences, postoperative opioid requirements were similar between the groups. When the baseline pain scale was adjusted for, there was no difference in the overall pain scale scores between the groups (P = 0.242). Subgroup analyses comparing single-shot or continuous TAP versus control did not show any differences. With the caveat of the retrospective nature of the study, the adjunctive effect of TAP block after transabdominal HALN was limited when other multimodal analgesia was used.

Cannabidiol for Postoperative Pain Control After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair Demonstrates No Deficits in Patient-Reported Outcomes Versus Placebo: 1-Year Follow-up of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Cannabidiol (CBD) has been shown recently to positively affect patient pain and satisfaction immediately after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR). However, it is unclear whether the addition of CBD to a perioperative regimen could affect postoperative outcomes. To evaluate patient-reported outcomes among patients who underwent ARCR and received buccally absorbed CBD or an identical placebo for early postoperative pain management at 1-year follow-up. Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 2. Eligible patients had previously participated in a multicenter, placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blinded trial that evaluated the analgesic effects of CBD in the immediate postoperative period after ARCR. The experimental group received 25 mg of CBD 3 times/day if <80 kg and 50 mg of CBD 3 times/day if >80 kg for 14 days, with the control group receiving an identical placebo. The following outcomes were assessed at minimum 1-year follow-up: visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE), and patient satisfaction. The rates of achievement of the Patient Acceptable Symptom State (PASS) were compared based on ASES at latest follow-up. Continuous and categorical variables were compared with the Mann-Whitney U test and Fisher exact test, respectively. Follow-up was obtained from 83 of 99 patients (83.8%) who completed the original trial. There were no significant differences between the CBD and control groups with respect to age, sex, body mass index, rate of concomitant procedures, or number of anchors used intraoperatively. At 1-year follow-up, there were no significant differences between the CBD and control groups in VAS pain (0.8 vs 1.2, P = .38), ASES (93.0 vs 91.1, P = .71), SANE (87.6 vs 90.1, P = .24), or satisfaction (97.4 vs 95.4, P = .41). A majority of patients achieved the PASS (81.0% [CBD] vs 77.5% [control]; P = .79). Perioperative use of CBD for pain control among patients undergoing ARCR did not result in any significant deficits in pain, satisfaction, or patient-reported outcomes at 1-year postoperatively compared with a placebo control group. These findings suggest that CBD can be considered in a postoperative multimodal pain management regimen without detrimental effects on outcome. NCT04672252 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier).

A Study to Assess the Efficacy of Ultrasound-guided Bilateral Erector Spinae Plane Block for Total Abdominal Hysterectomy under Spinal Anesthesia: A Prospective Randomized Control Study

Abstract Background: Postoperative discomfort after a total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH) is severe. The Erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is the latest addition to the multimodal pain management regimen, providing both visceral and somatic analgesia. Aim: The aim of this study was assessed the postoperative analgesic efficacy of ultrasound-guided bilateral ESPB for TAH. Materials and Methods: 70 female patients aged 40 to 60 years, American society of anaesthesiology (ASA) physical status class I and II posted for TAH were enrolled. Group ESPB+SA(n=35) received bilateral ESPB using 0.25% ropivacaine hydrochloride 15ml with 0.5µ/kg dexmedetomidine on each side before spinal anaesthesia, while group SA (n=35) received only spinal anaesthesia. Postoperative follow-up for 24 hours.Statistical analysis used: Independent-samples student t-test. Results: The total dose of tramadol injection consumed in the first 24 hours postoperatively in group ESPB+SA was significantly low (110.34mg) as compared to group SA (334.29mg) (P &lt; 0.001). Time for first rescue analgesia was prolonged significantly in group ESPB+SA while it was very short in Group SA(P &lt; 0.001). Postoperatively the mean modified defense and veterans pain rating scale (DVPRS) for pain was lower in group ESPB+SA than in group SA, and the difference was statistically significant (P &lt; 0.001). Similarly, scores for other modified DVPRS components, such as sleep, activity, mood and stress were lower in the ESPB+SA group. Conclusions: Bilateral ultrasound-guided ESPB prior to spinal anaesthesia offers effective and prolonged postoperative analgesia, with significantly lower postoperative tramadol use and a higher satisfaction score in patients undergoing TAH under spinal anaesthesia.

Poster 373: Perceptions &amp; Opinions on Cannabidiol Among Sports Medicine Orthopaedic Surgeons

Objectives: Cannabidiol (CBD) is a known pain modulator which is beginning to garner increased attention in the orthopaedic world, with many patients now presenting to clinics having tried CBD for pain relief. However, there may be a considerable knowledge gap with particular reference to orthopedic sports medicine surgeons and how they perceive the use of this therapeutic agent in clinical practice. The purpose of this study is to (1) examine the knowledge and beliefs of sports medicine orthopaedic surgeons with respect to the role of cannabidiol (CBD) in a multi-modal post-operative pain management regimen (2) deliver an educational component regarding CBD to practicing surgeons, and to (3) elucidate potential future barriers to the widespread use of this treatment modality by providing an anonymous forum for surgeons to voice their opinions. Methods: A three-component, 25-question online survey was distributed to fellowship-trained sports medicine orthopaedic surgeons. The first 20 questions were designed to assess baseline knowledge and opinions of sports surgeons regarding cannabidiol. These were followed by a 1-page summary sheet detailing the current legal status of CBD, as well as a brief literature review of its potential role in pain management within the field of orthopaedics. Lastly, 5 additional questions assessed whether the respondents’ opinions had shifted after learning more about CBD. A Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used for one question (“Please indicate the likelihood you would recommend CBD as part of a pain management regimen.”), which was repeated before and after the summary sheet to see if respondents modified their answer after completing the educational component. Results: One hundred responses were collected from sports medicine surgeons. Most surgeons (76.2%) believe there is a role for CBD in post-operative pain management. While only 62.4% of respondents believe that CBD could be effective in managing acute pain and inflammation following injury, an overwhelming majority (94.1%) believed that CBD has a role in chronic pain management. A large majority stated that CBD would have no effect on soft tissue (89.1%) or bony (90.1%) healing post- operatively. Most surgeons admitted they were not knowledgeable about the mechanism (84.2%), modes of administration (73.3%), or their states’ laws (66.3%) concerning CBD. A minority (24.8%) believe that CBD has psychoactive properties and 18.8% believe CBD has addictive potential. While most surgeons (76.2%) did not believe they would be stigmatized if they were to suggest CBD to a patient, only 47.5% have ever suggested CBD to a patient. Notably, 94.1% of surgeons have encountered patients who reported trying CBD to treat pain. In the optional open-response section, 32 respondents elaborated on their concerns with most sentiments falling into three predominant themes: a) more evidence is required (10, 31.3%); b) stigmatization from patients (8, 25.0%); c) more regulation is required (5, 15.6%). After reading through the fact sheet, 51.4% of the survey respondents stated that their opinion on CBD had changed, and 62.9% stated they felt inclined to investigate the topic further on their own. Conclusions: A majority of sports medicine surgeons believe that CBD has a role in post-operative and chronic pain management. Surgeons are somewhat familiar with CBD, in part due to its remarkable prevalence among their patient populations, however there is clearly a knowledge gap, suggesting more education is necessary involving what is currently known about the subject and that more research should be targeted toward this developing industry. Current barriers to its routine use in clinical practice include unfamiliarity of the mechanism and dosing, limited evidence and regulation, and patient concerns or patient/surgeon stigmatization.

A multimodal intraosseous infusion of morphine and ketorolac decreases early postoperative pain and opioid consumption following total knee arthroplasty

BackgroundMultimodal pain management regimens and intraosseous infusion of morphine are two novel techniques that show promise in decreasing postoperative pain and opioid consumption following total knee arthroplasty. However, no study has analyzed the intraosseous infusion of a multimodal pain management regimen in this patient population. The purpose of our investigation was to examine the intraosseous administration of a multimodal pain regimen comprised of morphine and ketorolac during total knee arthroplasty with regard to immediate and 2-week postoperative pain, opioid pain medication intake, and nausea levels. MethodsIn this prospective cohort study with comparisons to a historical control group, 24 patients were prospectively enrolled to receive an intraosseous infusion of morphine and ketorolac dosed according to age-based protocols while undergoing total knee arthroplasty. Immediate and 2-week postoperative Visual Analog Score (VAS) pain scores, opioid pain medication intake, and nausea levels were recorded and compared against a historical control group that received an intraosseous infusion of morphine alone. ResultsDuring the first four postoperative hours, patients who received the multimodal intraosseous infusion experienced lower VAS pain scores and required less breakthrough intravenous pain medication than those patients in our historical control group. Following this immediate postoperative period, there were no additional differences between groups in terms of pain levels or opioid consumption, and there were no differences in nausea levels between groups at any time. ConclusionsOur multimodal intraosseous infusion of morphine and ketorolac dosed according to age-based protocols improved immediate postoperative pain levels and reduced opioid consumption in the immediate postoperative period for patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty.

Poster 186: Cannabidiol for Post-Operative Pain Control after Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair Demonstrates No Functional Deficits at 1-Year

Objectives: Cannabidiol (CDB) has been recently shown to positively impact patient pain and satisfaction immediately after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. However, it is unclear if addition of CBD to a post- operative regimen will cause any changes in clinical outcomes. The purpose of this study is to evaluate 1-year functional outcomes among patients who previously underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) and received buccally-absorbed cannabidiol for post-operative pain management. We hypothesize that there will be no clinical differences in pain or shoulder function at one year follow up comparing those who receive CBD versus a placebo. Methods: Included patients had previously completed participation in a FDA-sanctioned, multi-center, placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blinded trial to evaluate the potential analgesic effects of CBD post-ARCR. The experimental group post-operatively received 25-mg of CBD (Oravexx, Orcosa Pharmaceuticals, USA) TID if &lt; 80-kg and 50-mg of CBD TID if &gt; 80-kg for 14 days, with control groups receiving an identical placebo. Patients were contacted one year following their date of surgery to obtain the following patient-reported outcome scores: the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain and satisfaction, the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Standardized Shoulder Assessment (ASES), and the Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE) rating. These scores, as well as ASES sub-components, were compared between the CBD group and placebo group. Continuous variables were compared within groups with Wilcoxon signed rank test and between groups with Kruskal-Wallis test. Fisher’s exact test was used to compare categorical variables between groups. P-values &lt; 0.05 were considered significant. Results: Overall, 62 patients of the 72 patients currently eligible for 1-year follow-up were recruited, achieving a response rate of 86.1%. There were no significant differences in age, sex, or BMI between the two cohorts. There were no significant differences found between placebo and CBD cohorts in the overall ASES score (95.1% vs 91.2%, p = 0.288); furthermore, no differences (p &gt; 0.05) were found in each component of the 10-question daily activities of living scale. There were no significant differences with respect to the amount of anti-inflammatory pain medication taken on an average day, as reported on the ASES between placebo and CBD cohorts (0.23 pills ± 0.82 vs 0.50 ± 1.39; p = 0.365). No patients (0%) reported using any stronger pain medications, including opioids. There were no significant differences found in VAS pain score (0.77 ± 1.25 vs 0.91 ± 1.75, p = 0.721), VAS satisfaction (97.1% vs 97.2%, p = 0.927), and SANE score (92.4 vs 87.0, p = 0.065). All patients (100%) stated that surgery had met their expectations. Conclusions: Peri-operative use of CBD for pain control among patients undergoing ARCR does not result in any significant deficits in patient-reported pain, satisfaction, or functional outcomes at 1-year post-operatively compared to a placebo control. These findings suggest that CBD can be considered in a post-operative multimodal pain management regimen without long-term detrimental effects.

Evidence for a Multimodal Pain Management Regimen in Reduction of Postoperative Opioid Use in Pediatric Patients Receiving Posterior Spinal Fusion for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.

Retrospective cohort study. This project aims to evaluate the relationship between increased use of intraoperative nonopioid analgesics, muscle relaxers, and anesthetics and postoperative outcomes, including opioid utilization, time until ambulation, and hospital length of stay. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a structural deformity of the spine that occurs in otherwise healthy adolescents, occurring with a frequency of 1% to 3%. Up to 60% of patients receiving spinal surgeries, particularly posterior spinal fusion (PSF), experience at least 1 day of moderate-to-severe pain after surgery. This is a retrospective chart review of pediatric patients aged 10 to 17 having received PSF with >5 levels fused for AIS at a dedicated children's hospital and a regional tertiary referral center with a dedicated pediatric spine program between January 2018 and September 2022. A linear regression model was used to evaluate the influence of baseline characteristics and intraoperative medications on the total amount of postoperative morphine milligram equivalents received. There were no significant differences in the background characteristics of the two patient populations. Patients receiving PSF at the tertiary referral center received equivalent or greater amounts of all nonopioid pain medications and demonstrated decreased time until ambulation (19.3 vs . 22.3 h), postoperative opioid use (56.1 vs . 70.1 MME), and postoperative hospital length of stay (35.9 vs . 58.3 h). Hospital location was not individually associated with a difference in postoperative opioid use. There was not a significant difference in postoperative pain ratings. When accounting for all other variables, liposomal bupivacaine had the greatest contribution to the decrease in postoperative opioid use. Patients receiving greater amounts of nonopioid intraoperative medications utilized 20% fewer postoperative morphine milligram equivalents, were discharged 22.3 hours earlier and had earlier recorded evidence of mobility. Postoperatively, nonopioid analgesics were as effective as opioids in the reduction of subjective pain ratings. This study further demonstrates the efficacy of multimodal pain management regimens in pediatric patients receiving PSF for AIS.

Patient factors influencing the choice of opioid versus non-opioid postoperative analgesia following common sports procedures: a prospective survey study

PurposeDespite established opioid-free protocols for postoperative analgesia after common orthopaedic sports procedures, many patients continue to request opioids postoperatively. The purpose of this study was to elucidate patient factors influencing preferences for opioid versus nonopioid postoperative analgesia. MethodsPatients (age >/ = 15) without a history of a documented chronic pain disorder who were scheduled for one of ten sports procedure types from August 2020 to May 2021 were eligible for inclusion. Patients were excluded if undergoing revision surgery, had concomitant injuries, had opioids use >3 months preoperatively, or unable to read English. Recruitment ended after 100 patients enrolled. At the patients’ preoperative visit, patients were administered a written survey assessing pain medication preferences. Participants completed the Opioid Risk Tool survey, as well as Visual Analog Scale and Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System surveys. ResultsOne hundred patients participated in the study. Forty-two patients preferred opioids versus 58 patients preferring nonopioid postoperative analgesia. Patients preferring opiates were more likely to have had previous surgery (90.2% vs. 69.6%, p = 0.023) with post-operative pain managed with opiates (87.5% vs 55.4%, p = 0.003), higher preoperative Visual Analog Scale score (6±3.5 vs. 3±2, p < 0.001), reported post-operative pain as a reason for opioids preference (88.1% vs 20.0%, p < 0.001), and were less concerned about addiction (4.8% vs. 45.5%, p < 0.001) and side effects (11.9% vs. 52.7%, p < 0.001). For every unit increase in Visual Analog Scale score, the odds of preferring opioid pain control increased 1.41 times. ConclusionsPatients with a history of prior surgery utilizing opioid pain control, higher Visual Analog Scale scores preoperatively, and concern for inadequately managed postoperative pain were more likely to prefer opioid pain control following common orthopaedic sports procedures. Patients may benefit from increased preoperative education about opioid risks and the role of multimodal pain management regimens.

Prevention and Management of Chronic Postsurgical Pain and Persistent Opioid Use Following Solid Organ Transplantation: Experiences From the Toronto General Hospital Transitional Pain Service.

With >700 transplant surgeries performed each year, Toronto General Hospital (TGH) is currently one of the largest adult transplant centers in North America. There is a lack of literature regarding both the identification and management of chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) after organ transplantation. Since 2014, the TGH Transitional Pain Service (TPS) has helped manage patients who developed CPSP after solid organ transplantation (SOT), including heart, lung, liver, and renal transplants. In this retrospective cohort study, we describe the association between opioid consumption, psychological characteristics of pain, and demographic characteristics of 140 SOT patients who participated in the multidisciplinary treatment at the TGH TPS, incorporating psychology and physiotherapy as key parts of our multimodal pain management regimen. Treatment by the multidisciplinary TPS team was associated with significant improvement in pain severity and a reduction in opioid consumption. Given the risk of CPSP after SOT, robust follow-up and management by a multidisciplinary team should be considered to prevent CPSP, help guide opioid weaning, and provide psychological support to these patients to improve their recovery trajectory and quality of life postoperatively.

Musculoskeletal Pain Management and Patient Mental Health and Well-being.

Orthopaedic trauma patients have high rates of psychiatric disorders, which put them at risk for worse outcomes after injury and surgery, including worse pain. Mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, can affect the perception of pain. Pain can also exacerbate or contribute to the development of mental illness after injury. Interventions to address both mental health and pain among orthopaedic trauma patients are critical. Balancing safety and comfort amid a drug overdose epidemic is challenging, and many clinicians do not feel comfortable addressing mental health or have the resources necessary. We reviewed the literature on the complex relationship between pain and mental health and presented examples of scalable and accessible interventions that can be implemented to promote the health and recovery of our patients. Interventions described include screening for depression in the orthopaedic trauma clinic and the emergency department or inpatient setting during injury and using a comprehensive and evidence-based multimodal pain management regimen that blends pharmacologic alternatives to opioids and physical and cognitive strategies to manage pain.

Effectiveness of Bariatric Surgery Targeting Opioid Prescriptions (BSTOP) protocol on postoperative pain control.

BackgroundSurgical pain management is a critical component in the success of bariatric procedures. With the opioid epidemic, there have been increased efforts to decrease opioid use. In 2019, the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program developed the BSTOP protocol, a multimodal perioperative pain management regimen to minimize opioid use. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the BSTOP protocol on patients’ need for opioid medications during their perioperative care.MethodsThis is a single-institution prospective cohort study on patients who underwent bariatric surgery from 10/2019 to 5/2021. Data was collected on morphine equivalent dose of opioids during different stages of inpatient and outpatient care. BSTOP was implemented on 7/2020. Primary outcomes were total inpatient and outpatient opioid use as well as hospital length of hospital stay (LOS). Gabapentin was removed from the protocol between 10/20/2020 and 12/31/2020 due to side effects; it was re-implemented on 1/1/2021 due to observed spikes in opioid use during its absence.Results1264 patients who had bariatric surgery between 10/2019 and 5/2021 were included in the study, with 409 patients before (pre-BSTOP) and 855 patients after BSTOP implementation. There was a 36% reduction in total inpatient opiate use and a 57% reduction in total outpatient opiate use. LOS also significantly decreased, from 1.53 to 1.28 days. 179 patients received BSTOP without gabapentin. These patients used more opioids in the post-anesthesia care unit and on the inpatient floors compared to pre-BSTOP and BSTOP with gabapentin patients. With total inpatient and outpatient opioid use, patients on BSTOP without gabapentin used fewer opioids than those pre-BSTOP. However, those on BSTOP without gabapentin used more opioids than those with gabapentin.ConclusionThe BSTOP protocol significantly reduced inpatient and outpatient opioid use as well as LOS. Gabapentin is a crucial component of the BSTOP protocol.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00464-022-09646-4.

Post-operative Analgesic and Opioid-sparing Effect of a Single-dose Pre-operative Oral Pregabalin in Gynaecological Surgeries.

Post-operative pain treatment is a major challenge in our environment. Opioids may cause respiratory depression post-operatively. Therefore, any combination of opioid and non-opioid analgesics that provides quality post-operative pain control and reduces opioid consumption with its attendant side effects will be highly desirable. The aim of this article is to evaluate analgesic benefits and opioid-sparing effects of pre-operative oral pregabalin in patients who undergo abdominal gynaecological surgeries. A prospective randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study is carried out at University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Kwara State, Nigeria. Eighty-two patients scheduled for gynaecological surgeries were randomized into two equal groups. The patients in the control and study groups received a placebo drug and oral pregabalin 150 mg, respectively, 1 h before induction of general anaesthesia. Post-operative pain intensity using a five-point Verbal Rating Scale, time to first request for analgesia, and 24 h post-operative pethidine consumptions were assessed. Mean values were compared using Student's t-test. Categorical data were compared with the χ 2 test. Level of significance was set at 5% (0.05) and power of the study was 80%. Demographic characteristics were comparable between the two groups. The median pain score was 0-2 (no pain-moderate pain) throughout the study. Post-operative static and dynamic pain scores at 1, 4, and 12 h were significantly higher in the placebo group (<0.001). Twenty-four hours post-operatively, there were no significant differences in static and dynamic pain scores between the two groups (P=0.131 and P=0.384, respectively). Time to first analgesic requirement and total pethidine consumed within 24 h post-operative were 47 ± 19 vs. 258 ± 137 min (P=0.001) and 326.19 ± 62.70 vs. 192.86 ± 55.84 mg (P=0.001) in the control and study groups, respectively. The pre-operative use of pregabalin reduced post-operative opioid requirement by 40.9% in the study group. Nausea and vomiting were more common in the placebo group, whereas dizziness, blurring of vision, and sedation were more common in the pregabalin group. A single pre-operative dose of 150 mg oral pregabalin had significantly greater analgesic effects compared with placebo and reduced post-operative opioid requirements in patients undergoing myomectomy or total abdominal hysterectomy. It should be considered an adjuvant in multimodal pain management regimens following gynaecological surgeries.

Hand Surgery Patient Perspectives on Medical Cannabis: A Survey of Over 600 Patients

Medical cannabis (MC) has been proposed as a potential addition to multimodal pain management regimens in orthopedics. This study evaluates hand and upper-extremity patient perspectives of MC as a treatment for common orthopedic and musculoskeletal pain conditions. This study also aims to identify the proportion of patients already using MC, perceived barriers to MC use, and opinions on insurance coverage and legality of cannabis. An anonymous cross-sectional survey study was conducted of all patients at least 18 years old presenting from October 2020 to January 2021 to a hand and upper-extremity outpatient clinic. The survey collected information regarding opinion on MC, including use, legality, and willingness to use MC in the future. Medical cannabis was legal in the states where the study was conducted. A total of 679 patients completed the survey (response rate 72.5%). Sixty-eight patients (10.0%) reported currently using MC. Of the 623 patients (90.0%) who reported not currently using MC, 504 (80.9%) would consider using MC for chronic pain, while the remaining 119 (19.1%) would not consider the use of MC for chronic pain. Age was not associated with whether a patient would consider using MC (P= .16) or was already using MC (P= .10). The most identified barrier to MC use was cost, reported as either expensive or not affordable by 477 patients (70.5%). This study found that most patients presenting for hand and upper-extremity complaints would consider using MC (80.9%), and most perceive it as a safe treatment option for common orthopedic conditions. Moreover, 10% of patients reported already using MC. One of the major barriers to MC use is the cost. Most (90.9%) patients support policies for legalization and insurance coverage of MC. Therapeutic Level III.

A comparison of acute pain management strategies after cesarean delivery

There are approximately 1.2 million cesarean deliveries performed each year in the United States alone. While traditional postoperative pain management strategies previously relied heavily on opioids, practitioners are now moving toward opioid-sparing protocols using multiple classes of nonnarcotic analgesics. Multimodal pain management systems have been adopted by other surgical specialties including gynecology, although the data regarding their use for postoperative cesarean delivery pain management remain limited. To determine if a multimodal pain management regimen after cesarean delivery reduces the required number of morphine milligram equivalents (a unit of measurement for opioids) compared with traditional morphine patient-controlled analgesia while adequately controlling postoperative pain. This was a prospective cohort study of postoperative pain management for women undergoing cesarean delivery at a large county hospital. It was conducted during a transition from a traditional morphine patient-controlled analgesia regimen to a multimodal regimen that included scheduled nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and acetaminophen, with opioids used as needed. The data were collected for a 6-week period before and after the transition. The primary outcome was postoperative opioid use defined as morphine milligram equivalents in the first 48 hours. The secondary outcomes included serial pain scores, time to discharge, and exclusive breastfeeding rates. Women who required general anesthesia or had a history of substance abuse disorder were excluded. The statistical analyses included the Student t test, Wilcoxon rank-sum, and Hodges-Lehman shift, with a P value <.05 being considered significant. During the study period, 877 women underwent cesarean delivery and 778 met the inclusion criteria-378 received the traditional morphine patient-controlled analgesia and 400 received the multimodal regimen. The implementation of a multimodal regimen resulted in a significant reduction in the morphine milligram equivalent use in the first 48 hours (28 [14-41] morphine milligram equivalents vs 128 [86-174] morphine milligram equivalents; P<.001). Compared with the traditional group, more women in the multimodal group reported a pain score ≤4 by 48 hours (88% vs 77%; P<.001). There was no difference in the time to discharge (P=.32). Of the women who exclusively planned to breastfeed, fewer used formula before discharge in the multimodal group than in the traditional group (9% vs 12%; P<.001). Transition to a multimodal pain management regimen for women undergoing cesarean delivery resulted in a decrease in opioid use while adequately controlling postoperative pain. A multimodal regimen was associated with early successful exclusive breastfeeding.

Multiple Sclerosis Spastic Pain Relief Secondary to Medicinal Marijuana

A 57-year-old male presented to an outpatient Multiple Sclerosis (MS) clinic for excruciating spastic pain secondary to MS. After a trial of multiple pain management drugs with no success, he began a trial of marijuana. In this paper, we report the extent of improvement in quality of life secondary to cannabinoid use after failing multimodal pain management regimens.

843 A comparison of acute pain management strategies after cesarean delivery

To determine if a multimodal pain management regimen after cesarean delivery reduces the number of morphine milligram equivalents (MME) compared to traditional patient controlled opioid analgesia (PCA) while adequately controlling postoperative pain. This was a prospective inception cohort analysis of postoperative pain management for women undergoing cesarean delivery at a large county hospital during a transition from a traditional morphine PCA to a multimodal regimen that included scheduled NSAIDs and acetaminophen, with opioids as needed. Data was collected for a 6 week period before and after the transition. The primary outcome was postoperative opioid use defined as MME in the first 48 hours. Secondary outcomes included serial pain scores, time to discharge, and exclusive breastfeeding rates. Women who required general anesthesia, had a history of substance abuse disorder or who delivered in the first 4 weeks after the transition were excluded. Statistical analysis included Student’s t test, Wilcoxon rank sum and Hodges-Lehman shift. During the study period 878 women underwent cesarean delivery and 775 met inclusion criteria: 376 received the traditional PCA and 399 received the multimodal regimen. Implementation of a multimodal regimen resulted in a significant reduction in MME use in the first 48 hours (30 [16,45] MME vs 135 [88,177] MME, p<0.001, Figure). Compared to the traditional group, more women in the multimodal group reported a pain score ≤ 4 by 48 hours (88% vs 77%, p<0.001). There was no difference in time to discharge. Of women who planned to exclusively breastfeed, fewer used formula prior to discharge in the multimodal group as compared to the traditional group (9% vs 12%, p<0.001). Transition to a multimodal pain management regimen for women undergoing cesarean delivery resulted in decreased opioid use while adequately controlling postoperative pain. A multimodal regimen was associated with early successful exclusive breastfeeding.

Total Knee Arthroplasty in Freestanding Ambulatory Surgery Centers: 5-Year Retrospective Chart Review of 90-Day Postsurgical Outcomes and Health Care Resource Utilization.

Migration of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) procedures from the inpatient setting to outpatient venues, especially freestanding ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), requires the use of reliable patient selection algorithms and standardized perioperative pathways to facilitate favorable outcomes for patients. This retrospective chart review included consecutive TKA procedures performed over a 5-year period between January 2014 and January 2019 at 2 freestanding ASCs. The patient selection algorithm was developed on the basis of patient comorbidities to minimize the potential for adverse events. All procedures were performed by one of eight orthopedic surgeons who were identified a priori as adhering to similar multimodal pain management regimens, including the use of spinal anesthesia, general or monitored-care anesthesia, adductor canal blocks, pericapsular injection of liposomal bupivacaine, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, gabapentin, tramadol, acetaminophen, and oxycodone on an as-needed basis. Outcomes, including surgical complications, healthcare resource utilization (HCRU), and patient satisfaction, were measured before discharge and at a 90-day follow-up visit. Four hundred thirty-nine TKA procedures in 386 patients were identified for inclusion. Of these patients, 115 (29.8%) were performed in patients with the American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status IIIa. Mean (standard deviation) length of stay at the ASC was 500 (107) minutes, including 136 (47) minutes of surgery and 201 (78) minutes to ambulation. The overall rates of surgical complications and 90-day hospital admissions were low (1.4% and 0.7%, respectively), as was the need for additional HCRU, including additional surgical procedures related to index surgery, emergency department visits, and unplanned clinic visits or calls. At the 90-day follow-up visit, 96% of patients reported being pleased with their outcomes. With careful patient selection, standardized perioperative pathways, and multimodal analgesia protocols, TKA procedures can be performed in the ASC setting with low complication rates, minimal postdischarge HCRU, and high rates of patient satisfaction. III.

Intraarticular Pain Catheter Is Not a Necessary Modality for Postoperative Pain Control After Total Knee Arthroplasty.

BackgroundEffective pain control balanced with maintaining physical function and minimizing medication side effects is essential to accelerated recovery after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Multimodal pain management regimens combining oral medications as well as local analgesia have shown promise in facilitating these goals. Some regimens use anesthetics delivered via a local infiltration catheter while others use periarticular injections (PAIs). However, it is uncertain if an infiltration catheter provides additional pain relief or decreases opioid consumption when compared with conventional PAI alone.MethodsFifty patients undergoing TKA at one institution were randomized equally into 2 groups for a prospective trial. Group I received an intraarticular catheter (On-Q∗) in combination with injection of 30 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine the day after surgery before removal. Group II received no pain catheter. Both groups received a conventional intraoperative PAI and postoperative oral pain medication. Pain scores were measured with visual analog scale and opioid medication consumption in morphine milligram equivalents (mgs).ResultsThere were no differences in pain scores or opioid consumption in the first 48-hours postoperatively (P = .05). Reported maximum pain scores were low in both groups; 3.33 in group I and 2.97 in group II. Although not statistically significant in this cohort, there was increased opioid consumption in the catheter group: 14.78 mg vs 12.76 mg.ConclusionAn intraarticular pain catheter in conjunction with a multimodal approach with intraoperative PAI after TKA does not improve 48-hour pain scores or opioid consumption compared with PAI alone in this randomized controlled trial. Overall pain scores were very low.

Quadratus Lumborum Block as a Rescue Block Following Total Hip Arthroplasty.

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a common surgical procedure for various hip diseases that has been associated with severe postoperative pain. A multimodal pain management regimen is a mandatory component to successful rehabilitation and patient satisfaction. By incorporating regional blocks into the perioperative surgical home model for THA, we help to achieve the “triple aim”: a better patient experience, better health care, and lower costs [1]. Traditionally, neuraxial analgesia has been the mainstay for analgesia for this set of patients. With the advent of ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve blocks such as fascia iliaca (FI) blocks, more practitioners have begun to perform the latter type of procedure. Recently, quadratus lumborum (QL) blocks have gained attention as a suitable option for analgesia for various types of surgeries, including hip arthroplasty [2]. A QL block is an ultrasound-guided fascial plane block that has been found to be easy to perform...