Postoperative Opioid Consumption Research Articles

Effect of ultrasound-guided ilioinguinal-iliohypogastric nerve block on chronic pain in patients undergoing open inguinal hernia surgery under spinal anesthesia: a randomized double-blind study.

Pre-operative ilioinguinal-iliohypogastric nerve block (II-IHNB) has a proven role in lessening acute postoperative pain and opioid consumption following hernia repair. However, its role in preventing post-herniorrhaphy groin pain (PHGP) is still unknown. The current study aims to assess pre-operative II-IHNB's impact on PHGP three and six months after open inguinal hernia repair under spinal anesthesia. Seventy patients posted for inguinal hernia surgery were randomly allocated into group A (received ultrasound-guided II-IHNB with 10 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine and 4 mg [1 mL] dexamethasone) and group B (received ultrasound-guided II-IHNB with 11 mL of 0.9% normal saline). The time to first analgesic request, pain scores, opioid consumption, DN4 score, and PHGP at 3 and 6 months were analyzed using appropriate statistical tests. The numerical pain rating scale at movement in group A was significantly reduced at all the time intervals of 3, 6, 12, and 24 hours compared to group B. Total opioid usage was lower in group A (3.71 mg [3.90]) versus group B (12.14 mg [4.90]) with a mean difference of -8.43 mg (95% CI -10.54, -6.32), P < 0.001. The time required for the first rescue analgesic was significantly longer in group A (360 min [180-360]) versus (180 min [180-360]) in group B (P < 0.001). However, there was no difference in the incidence of PHGP at three and six months between the two groups. Pre-operative ultrasound-guided II-IHNB reduces postoperative analgesic requirement but does not reduce the incidence of chronic PHGP following hernia surgery at 6 months.

Efficacy of Direct Versus Peripheral Adjuvant Dexamethasone on Duration and Rebound Pain in Regional Anesthesia for Outpatient Distal Radius Fracture Fixation: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Blinded Study.

Despite increasingly wider use, there remains controversy among anesthesiologists regarding preferred formulations and the role of steroid adjuvants in regional anesthesia. There is also uncertainty in the role of dexamethasone when administered directly versus peripherally. We hypothesize that directly mixing dexamethasone into the regional nerve block rather than peripherally administered intravenous dexamethasone will demonstrate a difference in efficacy concerning duration and rebound pain, decreased postoperative pain scores, or opioid consumption within the short-term postoperative period. A prospective, randomized controlled blinded study was conducted for patients undergoing open reduction and internal fixation with a volar plate technique for distal radius fractures. Patients were randomized for their preoperative anesthesia. One group had ultrasound-guided supraclavicular block with ropivacaine with a direct mix of dexamethasone 4 mg (Direct group), while the other group had ultrasound-guided supraclavicular block with ropivacaine and peripheral intravenous dexamethasone 4 mg (Indirect group). Data was collected pre, intra, and postoperatively. Fifty patients consented and participated in the study, with 27 participants in the direct group and 23 participants in the indirect group. Compared to intravenous administration, directly administered dexamethasone demonstrated a significant difference in the average time for the block to fade, onset of motor and sensory recovery, and block resolution. Our findings prove that directly mixing dexamethasone compared to peripherally administered intravenous dexamethasone will demonstrate a difference in efficacy with regards to duration and rebound pain, but do not prove that there will be a difference in decreased postoperative pain scores or opioid consumption within the 24-hour postoperative period. Prognosis Level I.

Effect of a comfort scale compared with a pain numerical rate scale on opioids consumption in postanaesthesia care unit: the COMFORT study

BackgroundThe way that pain is assessed in the PACU could impact on postoperative pain and analgesic consumption. However, there is currently no evidence to support this speculation. The authors hypothesised that using a comfort scale reduces postoperative opioid consumption when compared with a standard numerical rating scale (NRS) to evaluate pain in the PACU. MethodsIn this cluster-randomised trial, patients were assessed using either a comfort scale (comfort group) or a pain NRS (NRS group). The primary outcome was the opioid consumption in the PACU. The main secondary outcomes were postoperative pain, nausea and vomiting, length of stay in the PACU, and satisfaction. ResultsOf 885 randomised patients, 860 were included in the analysis. Opioid consumption in the PACU was comparable in the comfort and NRS groups (median [interquartile range [IQR] 0 (0–5) vs 0 (0–6); P=0.2436), irrespective of the type of surgical procedure. The majority of patients did not need any postoperative opioid (59% in the comfort group and 56% in the NRS group, P=0.2260). There was no difference in postoperative pain, nausea and vomiting, time to reach an Aldrete score ≥9 after extubation, and global satisfaction. ConclusionsUsing a comfort scale to assess pain in the PACU did not spare any opioid compared with use of a standard NRS. Further studies focusing on patients at risk of increased postoperative opioid consumption are necessary. Clinical trial registrationNCT05234216.

Comparing postoperative pain relief: ketorolac and nasocalcin spray versus lidocaine and nasocalcin spray in abdominal surgery patients

Objectives: Postoperative pain management is critical for patient recovery after abdominal surgery. This study compared intravenous lidocaine and ketorolac for reducing postoperative pain and opioid use, along with Nasocalcin nasal spray. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 58 abdominal surgery patients were allocated to receive either intravenous lidocaine plus Nasocalcin spray (n=29) or intravenous ketorolac plus Nasocalcin spray (n=29) before surgery. Pain intensity (visual analog scale) and postoperative opioid consumption were assessed at 1, 6, 12, and 24 hours after surgery. Results: Patients receiving ketorolac plus Nasocalcin spray reported significantly lower pain scores at all time points compared to lidocaine plus Nasocalcin (P&lt;0.001). Average 24-hour pain scores were 4.5 with ketorolac versus 5.1 with lidocaine. Mean opioid consumption was also lower in the ketorolac group (31.9 mg) versus the lidocaine group (43.9 mg, P&lt;0.001). Conclusion: Preoperative ketorolac plus Nasocalcin nasal spray resulted in superior pain relief and less opioid use compared to lidocaine plus Nasocalcin after abdominal surgery. Ketorolac may be a more effective analgesic option, while Nasocalcin spray is a safe adjunct. These findings can inform clinical practice for optimizing postoperative analgesia.

Efficacy and Safety of Different Preemptive Analgesia Measures in Pain Management after Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

The purpose of this systematic review and network meta-analysis was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of different preemptive analgesia measures given before laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) for postoperative pain in patients. We conducted a comprehensive search in databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and the Cochrane Library up to March 2024, and collected relevant research data on the 26 preemptive analgesia measures defined in this article in LC surgery. Outcomes included postoperative Visual Analogue Scores (VAS) at different times (2, 6, 12, and 24h), opioid consumption within 24h post-operation, time to first rescue analgesia, incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), and incidence of postoperative headache or dizziness. Forty-nine articles involving 5987 patients were included. The network meta-analysis revealed that multimodal analgesia, nerve blocks, pregabalin, and gabapentin significantly reduced postoperative pain scores at all postoperative time points and postoperative opioid consumption compared to placebo. Tramadol, pregabalin, and gabapentin significantly extended the time to first rescue analgesia. Ibuprofen was the best intervention for reducing PONV incidence. Tramadol significantly reduced the incidence of postoperative headache or dizziness. Subgroup analysis of different doses of pregabalin and gabapentin showed that compared to placebo, pregabalin (300mg, 150mg) and gabapentin (600mg, 300mg, and 20mg/kg) were all more effective without significant differences in efficacy between these doses. Higher doses increased the incidence of PONV and postoperative headache and dizziness, with gabapentin 300mg having a lower adverse drug reaction (ADR) incidence. Preemptive analgesia significantly reduced postoperative pain intensity, opioid consumption, extended the time to first rescue analgesia, and decreased the incidence of PONV and postoperative headache and dizziness. Multimodal analgesia, nerve blocks, pregabalin, and gabapentin all showed good efficacy. Gabapentin 300mg given preoperatively significantly reduced postoperative pain and ADR incidence, recommended for preemptive analgesia in LC. PROSPERO CRD42024522185.

The effectiveness and outcomes of epidural analgesia in patients undergoing open liver resection: a propensity score matching analysis

BackgroundOpen liver resection necessitates a substantial upper abdominal inverted-L incision, resulting in severe pain and compromising patient recovery. Despite the efficacy of epidural analgesia in providing adequate postoperative analgesia, the potential epidural-related adverse effects should be carefully considered. This study aims to compare the efficacy and safety of continuous epidural analgesia and intravenous analgesia in open liver resection.MethodsA retrospective study was conducted, collecting data from patients who underwent open liver resection between 2007 and 2017. Propensity score matching was implemented to mitigate confounding variables, with patients being matched in a 1:1 ratio based on propensity scores. The primary outcome was the comparison of postoperative morphine consumption at 24, 48, and 72 hours between the two groups. Secondary outcomes included pain scores, postoperative outcomes, and epidural-related adverse effects.ResultsA total of 612 patients were included, and after matching, there were 204 patients in each group. Opioid consumption at 24, 48, and 72 hours postoperatively was statistically lower in the epidural analgesia group compared to the intravenous analgesia group (p < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference in pain scores (p = 0.422). Additionally, perioperative hypotension requiring treatment, as well as nausea and vomiting, were significantly higher in the epidural analgesia group compared to the intravenous analgesia group (p < 0.001).ConclusionsEpidural analgesia is superior to intravenous morphine in terms of reducing postoperative opioid consumption within the initial 72 h after open liver resection. Nevertheless, perioperative hypotension, which necessitates management, should be approached with consideration and vigilance.Trial registrationThe study was registered in the Clinical Trials Registry at www.clinicaltrials.gov/, NCT number: NCT06301932.

Role of Cav2.3 (R-type) Calcium Channel in Pain and Analgesia: A Scoping Review.

Voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) play an important role in pain development and maintenance. As Cav2.2 and Cav3.2 channels have been identified as potential drug targets for analgesics, the participation of Cav2.3 (that gives rise to R-type calcium currents) in pain and analgesia remains incompletely understood. Identify the participation of Cav2.3 in pain and analgesia. To map research in this area as well as to identify any existing gaps in knowledge on the potential role of Cav2.3 in pain signalling, we conducted this scoping review. We searched PubMed and SCOPUS databases, and 40 articles were included in this study. Besides, we organized the studies into 5 types of categories within the broader context of the role of Cav2.3 in pain and analgesia. Some studies revealed the expression of Cav2.3 in pain pathways, especially in nociceptive neurons at the sensory ganglia. Other studies demonstrated that Cav2.3-mediated currents could be inhibited by analgesic/antinociceptive drugs either indirectly or directly. Some articles indicated that Cav2.3 modulates nociceptive transmission, especially at the pre-synaptic level at spinal sites. There are studies using different rodent pain models and approaches to reduce Cav2.3 activity or expression and mostly demonstrated a pro-nociceptive role of Cav2.3, despite some contradictory findings and deficiencies in the description of study design quality. There are three studies that reported the association of single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the Cav2.3 gene (CACNA1E) with postoperative pain and opioid consumption as well as with the prevalence of migraine in patients. Cav2.3 is a target for some analgesic drugs and has a pro-nociceptive role in pain.

Utility of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Global Mental Health T-Score to Identify Patients at Risk for Poor Postsurgical Outcomes Following Total Hip Arthroplasty

BackgroundMental illness is a known risk factor for poor postoperative outcomes following total hip arthroplasty (THA); however, the relationship between a patients overall mental health and recovery from THA is not as well established. Using the preoperative Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS-10) Mental Health Subdomain T-Score (MHT), the purpose of this study was to understand the association between mental health and postoperative outcomes up to one year following THA. MethodsThis was a retrospective chart review of patients undergoing elective primary THA. Patients who did not have a formal diagnosis of a mental illness condition were divided based on their MHT (above average [AA] > 50, average 40 to 50, below average [BA] < 40). Postsurgical parameters included inpatient opioid consumption and patient satisfaction, and 1-year postsurgery self-reported pain and patient-reported outcomes scores. A total of 972 patients were included in this study (AA 61.2%, average 33.1%, BA 5.7%). ResultsAfter controlling for confounders, multivariate models demonstrated that the MHT was an independent predictor of pain, opioid consumption, patient-reported outcomes, and satisfaction. Patients in the AA group overall demonstrated better outcomes and required fewer opioids than those in the BA group. ConclusionsThe MHT can be used as a preoperative screening tool that can identify an at-risk group that has not been previously described. An MHT < 40 was associated with poor postoperative outcomes, increased pain and opioid consumption, and lower overall satisfaction scores.

Opioid consumption following foot and ankle surgery: a systematic review

Objective: Systematically review studies characterizing postoperative opioid consumption in patients submitted to foot and anklesurgery to identify trends in opioid consumption among regions of procedures (forefoot, midfoot, hindfoot/ankle) and ultimatelycreate prescribing guidelines that treat patient’s pain adequately while limiting leftover pills. Methods: A systematic review was performed following the Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines. Retrospective and prospective observational cohort studies that reported mean opioid consumption following foot and ankle surgery were included, as well as data from our institution that fit the review’s parameters. Studies that did not report this data or reported patients receiving alternative surgical techniques were excluded. The risk of bias in non-randomized studies – of exposure (ROBINS-E) tool and the Methodological index for non-randomized studies (MINORS) criteria were used to assess bias and study quality, respectively. Results: Three hundred ninety-five articles were identified, and six studies, including our institution’s, met inclusion criteria. Reported data from 2,445 patients were synthesized to show opioid consumption overall, by region of surgery, and by invasiveness of procedure. Four of five studies found significantly higher opioid use postoperatively in patients submitted to hindfoot/ankle surgery, and two of five studies found significantly higher consumption among those submitted to bony foot and ankle surgery. Conclusion: Prescribing physicians must approach foot and ankle patients on a case-by-case basis to ensure adequate pain management while mitigating excess opioid risk. For prescriptions of 5 mg oxycodone pills, we recommend 15-, 20-, and 25-pill prescriptions for patients submitted to forefoot, midfoot, and hindfoot/ankle surgery. Level of Evidence I; Systematic review.

The Impact of Enhanced Recovery Protocols Regarding Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting Following Sleeve Gastrectomy under Triple Prophylaxis: A Controlled Randomized Study

Background Following a sleeve gastrectomy, post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a typical issue. Furthermore, several prophylactic techniques have been developed, such as preventive antiemetic and accelerated recovery after surgery (ERAS). However, PONV has not entirely disappeared, and clinicians are still working to lower PONV incidence. Aim Our goal was to evaluate how adopting Enhanced Recovery Protocols (ERAS) affects postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in comparison to standard care protocol after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) while receiving triple antiemetic prophylaxis. Objective The objective of this study was to verify that the ERAS procedure is crucial for lowering PONV despite the use of an efficient and effective antiemetic. Methods This is a computer-generated randomized clinical trial. Haloperidol, dexamethasone, and ondansetron were administered to all patients undergoing elective LSG, 29 patients within an ERAS protocol, and 29 within a standard care protocol. The primary finding was the incidence of PONV within 36 hours following LSG. The time to initially administer rescue antiemetic medication, number of rescue antiemetic medication administrations, postoperative opioid consumption, oral fluid tolerance, complications, and QoR-15 questionnaire for quality of recovery were the secondary outcomes. Results Within the first 36 hours following LSG, the incidence of PONV in the ERAS group was 17.20%, while in the non-ERAS group, it was 51.7%, with P&lt;0.012 and higher PONV severity (P&lt;0.021) in the non-ERAS group. The ERAS group took a longer time (6 hours) for the first rescue antiemetic medicine than the Non-ERAS group (2 hours), with P&lt;0.001 and significantly less number of patients (20.7%) needing rescue antiemetic, compared to the Non-ERAS group (65.5%), with P&lt;0.001. The dosage of nalbuphine needed by the ERAS group was lower (2.7±2.8) than the non-ERAS group (19.9±6.0). Regarding the QoR-15 scores, there was a significant difference in the two groups' overall performance (P &lt;0.001). Between the two groups, there were no significant complications following surgery. Conclusion This study reveals that even though triple antiemetic prophylaxis was used, the ERAS protocol had a beneficial effect on PONV when compared to the standard care approach.

Ultrasound-guided subcostal transversus abdominis plane block versus erector spinae plane block for post-operative pain after percutaneous nephrolithotomy: A comparative observational study

In India, about 12% of the population has kidney stones, and out of these about 50% may end up with some kidney function loss or renal damage percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is accepted as the procedure of choice for large or complex renal stones. Significant post-operative pain can occur after PCNL in first 24 hours due to distension in the renal capsule and pelvicalyceal system. The study aim was to compare the efficacy of ultrasonography guided subcostal transversus abdominis plane block with erector spinae plane block in PCNL. This observational study included 67 consecutive cases (16-65 years, ASA grade I-II) divided into 2 groups. Group A (n=33) received subcostal transversus abdominis plane (SCTAP) block and Group B (n=34) received erector spinae plane block (ESPB). Post operative pain in terms of pain scores, opioid consumption, requirement of rescue analgesic in first 24 hours was noted. Quality of recovery and any adverse events were also noted. Post-operative opioid consumption was significantly less in ESPB group (34.41 ± 27.32 mcg), compared to SCTAP Group (270.91 ± 121.41 mcg). Group B patients had better post operative quality of recovery compared to Group A patients. VAS pain scores at almost all time-points were lower in the ESPB group. ESPB provided effective postoperative analgesia and reduced fentanyl consumption postoperatively compared to SCTAP block.

Liposomal Bupivacaine via an Adductor Canal Block Compared to a Peripheral Nerve Catheter and No Block After Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Retrospective Analysis.

Background As total knee arthroplasty is one of the most common surgeries in the United States, it is important to identify regional anesthesia methods that optimize patient recovery. This study evaluates the effectiveness of adductor canal (AC) blocks with liposomal bupivacaine (LB) compared to other regional anesthesia techniques. We hypothesized that patients receiving single-shot (SS) AC blocks with LB would have lower postoperative opioid consumption compared to other groups. Methods A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted on patients from a single institution between January 2014 and December 2021. The primary outcome assessed was postoperative opioid use, with secondary outcomes including postoperative pain scores and hospital length of stay. Results The final analysis included 280 patients: 41 received an SS AC block with plain local anesthetic, 76 received a peripheral nerve catheter (PNC) with continuous ropivacaine, 79 received an SS AC block with LB, and 84 received no block. In fully adjusted models, postoperative opioid consumption on day one was significantly lower in the SS AC block with LB group compared to the no block group (b = 23.2, SE = 5.7, p < 0.0001), the PNC group (b = 15.5, SE = 5.7, p = 0.01), and the SS AC block with plain local anesthetic group (b = 18.9, SE = 6.9, p = 0.01). Additionally, hospital length of stay was significantly reduced in the LB group compared to the no block group (b = 1.5, SE = 0.3, p < 0.0001), the PNC group (b = 1.1, SE = 0.3, p < 0.0001), and the SS AC block with plain local anesthetic group (b = 1.5, SE = 0.3, p < 0.0001). Conclusions Patients who received an AC block with LB had higher pain scores on postoperative day 0 (POD0) but required less opioid medication on postoperative day 1 (POD1) and had a shorter hospital stay compared to patients who received other types of AC blocks or no block.

Comparison of analgesic effect of modified superior trunk block and traditional interscalene brachial plexus block with liposomal bupivacaine after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair

Objective: To compare the postoperative analgesic effect of modified superior trunk block and traditional interscalene brachial plexus block in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Methods: A total of 40 patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from October to November 2023 were prospectively included, whose American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade were Ⅰ-Ⅱ. They were divided into modified superior trunk block group (group S) and interscalene brachial plexus block group (group I) by random number table according to different nerve block methods, with 20 cases in each group. Local anesthetics was a mixture of 1.33% liposomal bupivacaine and 0.5% levobupivacaine hydrochloride injection in equal volume. Patients in group S were injected 5 ml mixture for ultrasound-guided modified superior trunk block, and patients in group I were injected with 15 ml mixture for ultrasound-guided traditional interscalene block respectively. Both groups underwent superficial cervical plexus block (5 ml mixture). Standardized general anesthesia and standardized postoperative analgesia were followed. The primary outcome measures included 48 h resting numerical rating scale (NRS) scores after surgery and the incidence of hemidiaphragmatic paralysis (HDP) at 30 min after block. The secondary outcome measures included resting NRS scores during the post anesthesia care unit (PACU), 12, 24, and 36 h after surgery, postoperative opioid consumption and satisfaction with analgesia, pulse oxygen saturation (SpO2) at 30 min after block, sensory and motor block duration, and the incidence of perioperative adverse reactions. The non-inferiority cut-off value of resting NRS scores for patients in group S was set as"1 point"at each observation time point after surgery. Results: In group S, one patient was excluded because the target nerve was blocked by the subclavian vein and could not be blocked, nineteen patients [11 males and 8 females, aged (52.2±9.0) years] were eventually included. In group I, there were 7 males and 13 females, aged (55.0±5.1) years. Resting NRS scores of group S and Group I at 48 h after surgery were 0 (0, 0) and 0 (0, 0.8) point, respectively, with no statistical significance (P>0.05). The median difference was 0 (95%CI:0-0) point and the upper 95%CI was 0 point, which was lower than the preset non-inferiority cut-off value"1 point"(non-inferiority P<0.001). The incidence of HDP in group S and group I were 5% (1/19) and 75% (15/20), respectively, with statistically significant (P<0.001). There were no significant differences in resting NRS scores at PACU and 12, 24, 36 h after surgery, opioid dosage, satisfaction with analgesia, SpO2 at 30 min after block, sensory and motor block duration between two groups (all P>0.05). No respiratory adverse events such as hypoxemia and airway spasm occurred in two groups after extubation. One patient in group I showed symptoms of breath shortness when entering PACU, and 3 patients felt uncomfortable due to prolonged numbness and weakness of the blockade limb (>2 days). No nerve block procedures and opioid drugs relative adverse reactions and no neurological complications happened in both groups. Conclusion: Liposomal bupivacaine usage for modified superior trunk block can provide long-term postoperative analgesic effects which is noninferior to traditional interscalene brachial plexus block and causes less HDP in patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

Postoperative outcomes and trends in computer-navigated and robotic-assisted total hip arthroplasty.

As the volume of technology-assisted total hip arthroplasty (THA) increases, there is a need to characterise the outcomes of robotic-assisted (RA) and computer-navigated (CN) THA. The goal of this study was to assess outcomes and opioid consumption following CN-THA and RA-THA compared to conventionally-instrumented (CON) THA. The Premier Database was queried for all patients who underwent primary, elective THA from 2015-2020. Patients were divided into 3 groups: CN, RA, or CON-THA. Yearly usage trends were assessed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess the 90-day risk of postoperative complications. Opioid consumption was reported in morphine milligram equivalents (MME) for postoperative days (POD) 0 and 1. Overall, 474,707 elective THAs were identified (95.7% CON, 2.1% CN, 2.2% RA. After accounting for confounders, CN-THA patients were at decreased risk for periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) (aOR: 0.55, p < 0.001) and dislocation (aOR 0.45, p < 0.001), but increased risk for blood transfusion (aOR 1.97, <0.001) compared to CON-THA. RA-THA patients were at decreased risk of dislocation (aOR:0.66, p < 0.001) but increased risk for transfusion (aOR 1.20, p < 0.001), prosthesis breakage (aOR 3.88, p < 0.001), and periprosthetic fracture (aOR 1.72, p < 0.001). Opioid consumption for CN-THA patients was lower on POD1 and lower for RA-THA patients POD0 and 2 compared to CON-THA. CN-THA was associated with reduced rates of PJI and dislocation, but increased rates of blood transfusion while RA-THA was associated with decreased rates of dislocation, but increased rates of blood transfusion, prosthesis complications, and periprosthetic fracture compared to CON-THA. Technology-assisted THA was associated with lower postoperative opioid consumption.

PAIN RELIEF AFTER INSTRUMENTED SPINAL SURGERY

BackgroundOver 55,000 spinal operations are performed annually in the NHS. Effective postoperative analgesia facilitates early mobilisation and assists rehabilitation and hospital discharge, but is difficult to achieve with conventional, opioid-based, oral analgesia. The clinical and cost-effectiveness of two alternative techniques, namely intrathecal opioid and the more novel erector-spinae plane blockade, is unknown. The Pain Relief After Instrumented Spinal Surgery (PRAISE) trial aims to evaluate these techniques.MethodsPRAISE is a multicentre, prospective, parallel group, patient-blinded, randomised trial, seeking to recruit 456 adult participants undergoing elective, posterior lumbar-instrumented spinal surgery from up to 25 NHS hospitals. Participants will be randomised 1:1:1 to receive (1) Usual Care with local wound infiltration, (2) Intrathecal Opioid plus Usual Care with local wound infiltration or (3) Erector Spinae Plane blockade plus Usual Care with no local wound infiltration. The primary outcome is pain on movement on a 100mm visual analogue scale at 24 hours post-surgery. Secondary outcomes include pain at rest, leg pain, quality of recovery (QoR-15), postoperative opioid consumption, time to mobilisation, length of hospital stay, health utility (EQ-5D-5L), adverse events and resource use. Parallel economic evaluation will estimate incremental cost-effectiveness ratios.ResultsDifferences in the primary outcome at 24 hours will be estimated by mixed-effects linear regression modelling, with fixed effects for randomisation factors and other important prognostic variables, and random effects for centre, using the as-randomised population. Treatment effects with 95% confidence intervals will be presented.ConclusionThe study is due to open in May 2024 and complete in 2026.Conflicts of InterestNo conflicts of interest declaredSources of FundingNIHR Health Technology Award – grant number NIHR153170Trial presentations so farAPOMP 2023 and 2024; RCOA conference, York, November 2023; Faculty of Pain Management training day, London, February 2024.

Association of patient characteristics with postoperative opioid consumption following cesarean delivery: a single center retrospective study

Background The primary aim of our study was to determine which patient characteristics were associated with opioid consumption following cesarean delivery. Methods The Baylor Scott & White Research Institute institutional review board approved this study (024-178). Patients who underwent cesarean delivery at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Temple with single injection or combined spinal epidural anesthesia in 2023 were eligible for inclusion. We examined the medical records of 300 patients, calculated the 24-hour opioid consumption for each, and compared the top third to the low group in a bivariate analysis and then performed a multivariate logistic regression. Results One hundred thirty-one patients had no opioid consumption in the first 24 postoperative hours, and 100 patients had a morphine milligram consumption of 30 to 117.5 mg. A multivariate logistic regression determined that patients in the higher opioid consumption cohort were more likely to have received combined spinal epidural anesthesia (odds ratio 2.079; 95% confidence interval 1.149, 3.762; P = 0.02) and administration of intravenous dexmedetomidine in the intraoperative period (odds ratio 2.542; 95% confidence interval 1.038, 6.224; P = 0.04). Conclusion Intraoperative administration of intravenous dexmedetomidine and combined spinal epidural anesthesia was associated with increased postoperative opioid consumption following cesarean delivery.

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

To identify risk factors associated with increased postoperative opioid consumption and inferior pain outcomes following knee and shoulder arthroscopy. Using the data set from the NonOpioid Prescriptions after Arthroscopic Surgery in Canada (NO PAin) trial, eight prognostic factors were chosen a priori to evaluate their effect on opioid consumption and patient-reported pain following arthroscopic knee and shoulder surgery. The primary outcome was the number of oral morphine equivalents (OMEs) consumed at 2 and 6 weeks postoperatively. The secondary outcome was patient-reported postoperative pain using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at 2 and 6 weeks postoperatively. A multivariable linear regression was used to analyse these outcomes with eight prognostic factors as independent variables. Tobacco usage was significantly associated with higher opioid usage at 2 (p < 0.001) and 6 weeks (p = 0.02) postoperatively. Former tobacco users had a higher 2-week (p = 0.002) and cumulative OME (p = 0.002) consumption compared to current and nonsmokers. Patients with a higher number of comorbidities (p = 0.006) and those who were employed (p = 0.006) reported higher pain scores at 6 weeks. Patients in the 'not employed/other' category had significantly lower pain scores at 6 weeks postoperatively (p = 0.046). Former smoking status was significantly associated with increased post-operative opioid consumption following knee and shoulder arthroscopy at 2 and 6 weeks postoperatively. Increased pain was found to be significantly associated with employment status and an increasing number of comorbidities at 6 weeks postoperatively. These findings can aid clinicians in identifying and mitigating increased opioid utilization as well as worse pain outcomes in high-risk patient populations. Level III, cohort study.

The effect of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on postoperative delirium: a meta-analysis.

Neuroinflammation is postulated as a potential mechanism underlying postoperative delirium. This study aimed to investigate the impact of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use on postoperative delirium. We conducted a literature search in electronic databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and Web of Science, to identify eligible randomized controlled studies. The primary outcome was the incidence of postoperative delirium, and the secondary outcomes included pain scores and the amounts of opioid used at 24 h postoperatively. We estimated the effect size through calculating the odds ratios (ORs) or mean differences (MDs) with 95% CIs, as appropriate. In the analysis of eight studies involving 1,238 participants, the incidence of postoperative delirium was 11% and 19% in the NSAID and control groups, respectively, with a significant reduction in the NSAID group (OR: 0.54, 95% CI [0.38, 0.7], P = 0.0001, I2 = 0%). NSAID use had a significant effect on postoperative pain reduction (MD: -0.75, 95% CI [-1.37, -0.13], P = 0.0172, I2 = 88%). Significant lower postoperative opioid consumption was observed in the NSAID group (MD: -2.88, 95% CI [-3.54, -2.22], P = 0.0000; I2 = 0%). NSAID administration reduced the incidence of postoperative delirium, severity of pain, and opioid dose used.

Comparison of postoperative analgesia effects between subcostal anterior quadratus lumborum block and transversus abdominis plane block in bariatric surgery: a prospective randomized controlled study

BackgroundCurrently, the prevalence of obesity is on the rise annually. Bariatric surgery stands out as the most efficacious approach for addressing obesity. Obese patients are more prone to experience moderate to severe pain after surgery due to lower pain thresholds. Regional block, as an important component of multimodal analgesia in bariatric surgery, is crucial in reducing opioid consumption and alleviating postoperative pain in patients undergoing bariatric surgery.Transversus abdominis plane block (TAPB) has gained widespread utilization in bariatric surgery; however, its limitation of inadequate reduction of visceral pain in obese patients remains a significant concern. Therefore, it is imperative to explore new and more efficient strategies for analgesia. Quadratus lumborum block (QLB) has emerged as a popular nerve block in recent years, frequently utilized in conjunction with general anesthesia for abdominal surgery. In the cadaver study of QLB, it was confirmed that the dye level could reach up to T6 when using the subcostal anterior quadratus lumborum muscle approach, which could effectively reduce the incision pain and visceral pain of bariatric surgery patients during the perioperative period.However, there is currently a lack of research on the use of subcostal anterior QLB in patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Our study aims to investigate whether subcostal anterior QLB can provide superior perioperative analgesic efficacy for bariatric surgery under general anesthesia compared to TAPB, leading to reduced postoperative opioid consumption and a lower incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV).Methods and designThis study is a prospective, randomized controlled trial aiming to recruit 66 patients undergoing bariatric surgery. The participants will be randomly allocated into two groups in a 1:1 ratio: subcostal anterior QLB group (n = 33) and TAPB group (n = 33). The study aims to investigate the efficacy of subcostal anterior QLB and TAPB in obese patients who are scheduled to undergo bariatric surgery. Our primary outcome is to observe the amount of opioids used in the two groups 24 h after operation. The secondary outcomes included VAS of pain during rest/activity after operation, the type and dose of additional analgesics, the occurrence and severity of PONV, the type and dose of additional antiemetic drugs, postoperative anesthesia care unit (PACU) time, time of first postoperative exhaust, time to first out of bed activity, time to first liquid diet and postoperative admission days.DiscussionOpioid analgesics are prone to causing adverse reactions such as nausea, vomiting, and respiratory depression, especially in obese patients. Multimodal analgesia, including nerve block, can effectively reduce the dose of opioids and alleviate their adverse effects. Currently, TAPB is the most prevalent nerve block analgesia method for abdominal surgery. Recent studies have indicated that subcostal anterior QLB offers advantages over TAPB, including a wider block plane, faster onset, and longer maintenance time. It is not clear which of the two nerve block analgesia techniques is better for postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Our objective in this investigation is to elucidate the superior method between TAPB and subcostal anterior QLB for postoperative pain management in bariatric surgery.Trial registrationChiCTR ChiCTR2300070556. Registered on 17 April 2023.

Efficacy of subcutaneous sumatriptan in postcraniotomy pain and opioid consumption.

Traditional pain management pathways following craniotomy are predicated on opioids. However, narcotics can confound critical neurological examination, contribute to respiratory depression, lower the seizure threshold, and lead to medication habituation, dependence, and/or abuse. Alternative medications to better address postoperative pain while mitigating opioid-related adverse effects remain insufficiently studied. Preliminary studies suggest sumatriptan, a 5-HT (1B/1D) receptor agonist known to regulate dural vasoactivity and inflammation, may moderate pain following trigeminal microvascular decompression and chronic postcraniotomy headache. In this study, the authors evaluated the efficacy of sumatriptan to modulate pain and opioid requirements following craniotomy surgery. This was a single academic center, retrospective cohort study of 300 consecutive adult patients who underwent elective craniotomy surgery between 2015 and 2022. Patients were equally divided between a control and a sumatriptan cohort contingent upon administration of 6 mg of subcutaneous sumatriptan within 1 hour of surgery completion and prior to opioid administration. Postoperative opioid consumption at 6, 12, and 24 hours, as well as admission total, inpatient length of stay, and 30-day global reevaluation, were assessed. Three hundred patients were included for analysis. Significant differences were seen in baseline hypertension (p < 0.01), hyperlipemia (p < 0.01), anxiety (p = 0.04), and operative time (p = 0.02). A significant reduction of mean postoperative pain scores at 12 (p = 0.03) and 24 (p < 0.01) hours and total opioid consumption (p = 0.04) was observed in the sumatriptan cohort. Subgroup analysis revealed significantly lower postoperative pain scores at 6 (p = 0.05), 12 (p < 0.01), and 24 (p < 0.01) hours in patients who underwent burr hole placement in the sumatriptan cohort as compared with controls; however, no significant difference in opioid consumption was noted. No adverse events related to sumatriptan administration were noted throughout the study. Postoperative single-dose subcutaneous sumatriptan following elective craniotomy may reduce pain scores and opioid requirements. Additional studies are needed to better understand nuanced differences in opioid modulation and optimal patient selection.