Postanesthesia Care Unit Pain Scores Research Articles

Improving perioperative acetaminophen administration for safer and cost-effective multimodal analgesia in pediatric surgery: A QI initiative.

The use of acetaminophen in the perioperative period has emerged as an attractive option for providing safer and cost-effective analgesia in children. The primary aim of our project was to increase the use of acetaminophen (both oral and intravenous) in the perioperative period from a baseline of 39.5% to 50% for all surgical patients within 24 months. The secondary aim was to increase the use of enteral acetaminophen from 10% to 52.5% during the same period. A multidisciplinary team was formed, and model for improvement was chosen as the QI methodology. The primary measure was the total percentage of surgical patients receiving any form of perioperative acetaminophen, while our secondary measure was the percentage use of oral acetaminophen administration. We also tracked the average maximum PACU (Post Anesthesia Care Unit) pain scores and the percentage of patients receiving IV opioids. Multiple interventions were conducted, including education, increasing the availability of acetaminophen, and optimizing the electronic medical record (EMR). Monthly data was collected using an automated report in the EMR. We successfully achieved our goal, increasing the use of acetaminophen from 39.5% to 70% within four months. Despite some fluctuations, by the end of 24 months, we not only met but surpassed our goal, with 63% of patients receiving perioperative acetaminophen. Similarly, the usage of oral acetaminophen increased from a baseline of 10% to 78%. Our average maximum PACU pain scores improved from 5.4 to 5.2, and the percentage of patients receiving rescue opioids decreased from 15.4 to 13.1. We successfully achieved and sustained our goals of improving acetaminophen use for our surgical patients without worsening pain scores or worsening use of intravenous opioids. Future directions include further refining our strategies and exploring additional opportunities to optimize pain management in pediatric perioperative settings.

Pain Catastrophizing and Impact on Pelvic Floor Surgery Experience

ABSTRACT Duration, intensity, and management of pain and discomfort may all be affected by experience, personality, and medical and psychosocial comorbidities. A negative cognitive-affective response to actual or anticipated pain, which impacts the pain experience, is called pain catastrophizing. The scale utilized for identifying individuals who magnify, feel helpless to manage, anticipate, or ruminate on pain is known as the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) and is composed of a 13-question validated measure and 3 subscales. The scale's score ranges from 0 to 52, where scores of 30 and greater indicate pain catastrophizing (30 points is the 75th percentile for PCS score distribution in patients with chronic pain). Pain catastrophizing is associated with increased pain severity, pain persistence, and opioid consumption following surgery, as well as poorer response to endometriosis treatments. Approximately 300,000 prolapse surgical procedures are performed in the United States annually, and because little is known about pain catastrophizing on perioperative pain, pelvic floor symptom distress/impact, and voiding trial (VT) performance following urogynecologic surgery, the authors' primary aim was to assess baseline pain catastrophizing on preoperative pelvic floor symptom impact and distress. The secondary aims included assessing the impact of pain catastrophizing on voiding function and postoperative pain following pelvic floor surgery. The patients for this prospective cohort study included self-identifying female patients undergoing surgery for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and/or pelvic organ prolapse from March 2020 to December 2021. Inclusion came following completion of appropriate surveys and subsequent surgery. Exclusion was merited through surgery for reasons besides SUI or prolapse. At the baseline patient visit, a PCS score of 30 or greater was defined as pain catastrophizing. The initial visit also included recording data such as body mass index, age, benzodiazepine use, chronic opioid use, anxiety and depression diagnoses, postoperative prolapse stage, bothersome urgency urinary incontinence, and preoperative postvoid residual volume. Charts were used for abstracting surgical data, such as operative time, estimated blood loss, type of pelvic reconstructive surgery performed, and midurethral sling placement. Surgeries were all performed by fellowship-trained reconstructive pelvic surgery providers. Postanesthesia care unit (PACU) nurses and clinic staff were masked to preoperative PCS scores obtained in the PACU and postoperative clinic visits. A standardized void trial was performed. Of 320 participants in this cohort, 46 had a pain catastrophizing score of ≥30. Mean age was 60.0 ± 12.8 years. Bivariate analysis indicated that the pain catastrophizing group had higher average body mass index and greater preoperative use of benzodiazepines. Variants such as SUI rates, urgency urinary incontinence, or prolapse stage had no significant differences between groups, yet preoperative pelvic floor symptom distress and impact scores were clinically and statistically significantly higher in the catastrophizing group. Higher PACU pain scores were associated with pain catastrophizing, but not first postoperative VT failure. A significant association between pain catastrophizing and symptom distress remained following multivariable analysis, as well as a relationship between high PCS scores and symptom impact. All quality-of-life subscales maintained the significant associations. This study, although unique in describing pain catastrophizing in this setting, includes various limitations such as its single-institutional nature, which may limit external generalizability. Furthermore, generalizability may also be limited for those electing nonsurgical management, as the study selected for women choosing surgery. Study strengths include its large number of patients cared for by fellowship-trained providers in a similar manner with uniform surgical practice and timing of measures for assessing pelvic pain and pelvic floor symptoms. Also, a relatively standard VT method was utilized. Although further investigation is warranted for describing pain catastrophizing and its role with pelvic floor symptoms and pain postoperatively, the results of this study support other investigative findings, which indicate the importance of understanding pain catastrophizing and its potential effect on patients undergoing pelvic floor surgery. Future studies around this relationship can potentially enable health care providers to tailor perioperative care for individuals with pain catastrophizing.

Postanesthesia Care Unit and Anesthetic Management Outcomes Among Patients Undergoing Noncardiac Surgery: Differences by Race and Ethnicity

To investigate the association of patient race and ethnicity with postanesthesia care unit (PACU) outcomes in common, noncardiac surgeries requiring general anesthesia. Single tertiary care academic medical center retrospective matched cohort. We matched 1:1 1836 adult patients by race and/or ethnicity undergoing common surgeries. We compared racial and ethnic minority populations (62 American Indian, 250 Asian, 315 Black or African American, 281 Hispanic, and 10 Pacific Islander patients) to 918 non-Hispanic White patients. The primary outcomes were: the use of an appropriate number of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) prophylactics; the incidence of PONV; and the use of a propofol infusion as part of the anesthetic (PROP). Secondary outcomes were: the use of opioid-sparing multimodal analgesia, including the use of regional anesthesia for postoperative pain control; the use of any local anesthetic, including the use of liposomal bupivacaine; the duration until readiness for discharge from the PACU; the time between arrival to PACU and first pain score; and the time between the first PACU pain score of ≥4 and administration of an analgesic. Logistic and linear regression were used for relevant outcomes of interest. Overall, there were no differences in the appropriate number of PONV prophylactics, nor the incidence of PONV between the two groups. There was, however, a decreased use of PROP (OR=0.80; 95% CI: 0.69, 0.94; P=.005), PACU length of stay was 9.56minutes longer (95% CI: 2.62, 16.49; P=.007), and time between arrival to PACU and first pain score was 2.30minutes longer in patients from racial and ethnic minority populations (95% CI: 0.99, 3.61; P=.001). There were no statistically significant differences in the other secondary outcomes. The rate of appropriate number of PONV prophylactic medications as well as the incidence of PONV were similar in patients from racial and ethnic minority populations compared to non-Hispanic White patients. However, there was a lower use of PROP in racial and ethnic minority patients. It is important to have a health equity lens to identify differences in management that may contribute to disparities within each phase of perioperative care.

Minimal differences in acute postoperative pain after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with quadriceps versus hamstring autograft.

Studies are lacking that evaluate early postoperative pain after all-soft-tissue quadriceps tendon anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), particularly in young patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in early postoperative pain between adolescent patients undergoing ACLR with quadriceps tendon versus hamstring autograft. A retrospective review was performed of 60 patients (mean age, 15.6 ± 1.3 years) who underwent ACLR using either quadriceps tendon (n = 31) or hamstring (n = 29) autografts between January 2017 and February 2020. Intraoperative and postoperative milligram morphine equivalents (MMEs), postanesthesia care unit (PACU) length of stay and PACU pain scores were recorded. Pain scores and supplemental oxycodone use were recorded on postoperative days (POD) 1-3. Differences were compared between the two groups. There were no statistically significant differences in age, sex, body mass index or concomitant meniscus repairs between the two groups (P > 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in intraoperative MMEs, PACU MMEs or PACU length of stay between groups (P > 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in maximum PACU pain scores (3.7 ± 3.0 vs. 3.8 ± 3.2; P = 0.89). Maximum pain scores on POD 1-3 were similar between groups (P > 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in supplemental oxycodone doses between groups on POD 1-3 (P > 0.05). Adolescent patients undergoing ACLR with quadriceps tendon and hamstring autografts have similar pain levels and opioid use in the early postoperative period.

Race, ethnicity and postoperative pain in pediatric cancer patients: a single-institution retrospective study

BackgroundStudies have suggested racial and ethnic-based disparities in the intensity of postoperative pain experienced by patients. The objective of this study was to compare the peak and average post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) pain intensity scores of children of non-Hispanic (NH) White race to those of children of other racial/ethnic groups.MethodsSingle-institution retrospective study of children (≤18 years) who had undergone cancer-related surgical procedures from June 2016 through April 2022. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the association between race/ethnicity and the peak and average PACU pain intensity scores.ResultsOf the 1,009 unique patients, 74 (7.3%) were Asian, 93 (9.2%) were NH-Black, 310 (30.7%) were Hispanic/Latino, 51 (5.1%) identified as “Other” race (NH-Other), and 481 (47.7%) were NH-White. The median age [interquartile range (IQR)] was 13.7 years (IQR, 8.2–16.6), and 517 (51.2%) were female.In the multivariable analysis, the association between race/ethnicity and a peak PACU pain score greater than 3 was not significant (p = 0.062 for overall effect of race). However, upon comparing the peak PACU pain scores of children of other racial/ethnic groups to NH-White children, NH-Black children were 50.1% less likely than NH-White children to have a peak PACU pain score greater than 3 (odds ratio [OR], 0.499, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.304–0.818; p = 0.006). Patient race/ethnicity was not associated with an average PACU pain score greater than 3 (p = 0.778).In the sub-group analysis of children who had undergone orthopedic or open abdominal surgeries, the proportions of children with peak and average PACU pain scores which were greater than 3 were not significantly different across racial/ethnic groups (p = 0.250 and p = 0.661, respectively).ConclusionsIn this retrospective study of children who had undergone cancer-related surgery, NH-Black children had significantly lesser odds than NH-White children of having a peak PACU pain score of moderate or severe intensity. However, in the sub-group analysis of children who had undergone orthopedic or open abdominal procedures, peak and average PACU pain scores were not significantly different across racial/ethnic groups.

A Novel Approach to Improving Post-Operative Pain and Minimizing Opioid Consumption After a Hip Arthroscopy.

There have been many different approaches to controlling pain in patients undergoing hip arthroscopy. These include medications, nerve blocks, and intra-articular injections among many others. We introduced a combination of a pre-operative pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block, and intra-operative pericapsular injection of BKK (bupivacaine, ketamine, and ketorolac). Patients undergoing primary hip arthroscopy were identified. There were three patient cohorts based on type of anesthesia: general anesthesia only (GA), general anesthesia and a pericapsular Marcaine injection (GA/Marcaine), or GA with pre-operative PENG block and an intraoperative BKK pericapsular injection (GA+PENG/BKK). Data collected included post-operative pain scores in the PACU (Post-Anesthesia Care Unit), time spent in the PACU, inpatient opioid consumption (both PACU and inpatient), and outpatient opioid prescriptions filled. 20 patients received GA, 11 patients received GA/Marcaine, and 20 patients received GA+PENG/BKK. The GA+PENG/BKK group had average PACU pain score of 3.9 out of 10 compared to 7.7 in the GA group (p<.001) and 6.6 in the GA/Marcaine injection group (p=.048). The GA+PENG/BKK group had shorter mean PACU times than either other group (p<.001). The GA+PENG/BKK also consumed less opioids than the GA or GA/Marcaine groups in the PACU (p<.001), and in the total inpatient stay (p=.002, p=.003), as well as outpatient (p=.019, p=.040). In patients undergoing a hip arthroscopy, performing a pre-operative PENG block and intra-operative BKK pericapsular injection will result in decreased postoperative pain, PACU time, and inpatient and outpatient opioids compared to general anesthesia only and general anesthesia with intracapsular Marcaine.

Efficacy of ultrasound-guided bilateral costal margin block in laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy: A double-blind randomized trial

BackgroundUltrasound-guided costal margin block (CMB) is a superficial and easily applicable technique. The current study aims to investigate its analgesic efficacy in patients undergoing laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy and describe its feasibility. MethodsForty-two patients undergoing laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy were enrolled in this prospective, double-blind, randomized clinical trial. Patients were randomized to receive standard general anesthesia with (block group, n = 21) or without (control group, n = 21) ultrasound-guided bilateral CMB. The primary outcome was 24-h intravenous morphine equivalents after surgery. Secondary outcomes included consumption of titrated morphine, 24–48 h morphine equivalents, consumption of intraoperative remifentanil, numerical pain rating scale scores, time to first opioid dose, patient satisfaction, adverse effects, and recovery events. ResultsThe postoperative 24-h morphine equivalents in the block group were significantly reduced compared to the control group (14.4 ± 7.4 mg vs. 29.9 ± 9.8 mg, p < 0.001). Both the titrated morphine consumption in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) and intraoperative remifentanil consumption were lower in the block group than in the control group. Patients in the block group had relatively lower average pain scores in PACU and reported more satisfaction with pain relief. Adverse effects and hospital length of stay after surgery were comparable between the two groups (p > 0.05). ConclusionAs a novel and easily-performed technique, ultrasound-guided bilateral CMB can reduce opioid consumption in patients undergoing laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy.

Perioperative Management and Outcomes in Patients With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurocognitive disorder characterized by impairments in communication and socialization. There are little data comparing the differences in perioperative outcomes in children with and without ASD. We hypothesized that children with ASD would have higher postoperative pain scores than those without ASD. Pediatric patients undergoing ambulatory tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy, ophthalmological surgery, general surgery, and urologic procedures between 2016 and 2021 were included in this retrospective cohort study. ASD patients, defined by International Classification of Diseases-9/10 codes, were compared to controls utilizing inverse probability of treatment weighting based on surgical category/duration, age, sex, race and ethnicity, anesthetizing location, American Society of Anesthesiology physical status, intraoperative opioid dose, and intraoperative dexmedetomidine dose. The primary outcome was the maximum postanesthesia care unit (PACU) pain score, and secondary outcomes included premedication administration, behavior at induction, PACU opioid administration, postoperative vomiting, emergence delirium, and PACU length of stay. Three hundred thirty-five children with ASD and 11,551 non-ASD controls were included. Maximum PACU pain scores in the ASD group were not significantly higher than controls (median, 5; interquartile range [IQR], 0-8; ASD versus median, 5; IQR, 0-8 controls; median difference [95% confidence interval {CI}] of 0 [-1.1 to 1.1]; P = .66). There was no significant difference in the use of premedication (96% ASD versus 95% controls; odds ratio [OR], 1.5; [95% CI, 0.9-2.7]; P = .12), but the ASD cohort had significantly higher odds of receiving an intranasal premedication (4.2% ASD versus 1.2% controls; OR, 3.5 [95% CI, 1.8-6.8]; P < .001) and received ketamine significantly more frequently (0.3% ASD versus <0.1% controls; P < .001). Children with ASD were more likely to have parental (4.9% ASD versus 1.0% controls; OR, 5 [95% CI, 2.1-12]; P < .001) and child life specialist (1.3% ASD versus 0.1% controls; OR, 9.9 [95% CI, 2.3-43]; P < .001) presence at induction, but were more likely to have a difficult induction (11% ASD versus 3.4% controls; OR, 3.42 [95% CI, 1.7-6.7]; P < .001). There were no significant differences in postoperative opioid administration, emergence delirium, vomiting, or PACU length of stay between cohorts. We found no difference in maximum PACU pain scores in children with ASD compared to a similarly weighted cohort without ASD. Children with ASD had higher odds of a difficult induction despite similar rates of premedication administration, and significantly higher parental and child life specialist presence at induction. These findings highlight the need for future research to develop evidence-based interventions to optimize the perioperative care of this population.

Effects of Preexisting Anxiety and Depression on Postoperative Outcomes in Patients Aged 30 Years and Younger Following Hip Arthroscopy for Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome

Background: Mental health influences postoperative outcomes in orthopedic procedures. Increasing attention is being paid to this effect. Purpose: We sought to evaluate the effect of diagnosed depression, anxiety, or both on postoperative outcomes in patients who have undergone hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS). Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 289 patients aged 30 years or younger who underwent hip arthroscopy for FAIS at a single institution from January 2014 to June 2021. Univariate statistics were used to assess differences between patients diagnosed with depression, anxiety, or both, and those without these diagnoses. Differences included demographics, operative characteristics, and postoperative outcomes: duration of postanesthesia care unit (PACU) stay, PACU pain scores, complications, reoperations, postoperative injections, 90-day emergency department (ED) visits, and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Multivariate analysis was used to evaluate risk factors for postoperative complications, including wound infection, documented reinjury, postoperative intra-articular hip injection, and any reoperation. Results: Patients diagnosed with depression, anxiety, or both were more likely to be older, female, and have a higher comorbidity burden. At the time of surgery, they were more likely to undergo concomitant procedures, including bursectomy and iliotibial band release. Postoperatively, they had longer PACU stays (90.5 vs 75.1 minutes) and higher first PACU pain scores (5.9 vs 4.6), as well as higher rates of postoperative injection (18.1 vs 9.2%), any reoperation (13.9% vs 4.6%), and revision hip arthroscopy (11.1% vs. 3.7%). Diagnoses of depression, anxiety, or both were independently predictive of any reoperation (odds ratio [OR] = 2.841) and revision hip arthroscopy (OR = 3.401). Conclusion: This retrospective cohort study found that, in patients undergoing hip arthroscopy for FAIS, there was an association between a diagnosis of depression, anxiety, or both, and increased comorbidities, higher first PACU pain scores, longer PACU stays, and increased rates of postoperative injection, any reoperation, or revision hip arthroscopy. Targeted interventions may improve outcomes, but further study is warranted.

Intraoperative use of the machine learning-derived nociception level monitor results in less pain in the first 90 min after surgery.

In this pooled analysis of two randomized clinical trials, intraoperative opioid dosing based on the nociception level-index produced less pain compared to standard care with a difference in pain scores in the post-anesthesia care unit of 1.5 (95% CI 0.8-2.2) points on an 11-point scale. The proportion of patients with severe pain was lower by 70%. Severe postoperative pain remains a significant problem and associates with several adverse outcomes. Here, we determined whether the application of a monitor that detects intraoperative nociceptive events, based on machine learning technology, and treatment of such events reduces pain scores in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU). To that end, we performed a pooled analysis of two trials in adult patients, undergoing elective major abdominal surgery, on the effect of intraoperative nociception level monitor (NOL)-guided fentanyl dosing on PACU pain was performed. Patients received NOL-guided fentanyl dosing or standard care (fentanyl dosing based on hemodynamic parameters). Goal of the intervention was to keep NOL at values that indicated absence of nociception. The primary endpoint of the study was the median pain score obtained in the first 90 min in the PACU. Pain scores were collected at 15 min intervals on an 11-point Likert scale. Data from 125 patients (55 men, 70 women, age range 21-86 years) were analyzed. Sixty-one patients received NOL-guided fentanyl dosing and 64 standard care. Median PACU pain score was 1.5 points (0.8-2.2) lower in the NOL group compared to the standard care; the proportion of patients with severe pain was 70% lower in the NOL group (p = 0.045). The only significant factor associated with increased odds for severe pain was the standard of care compared to NOL treatment (OR 6.0, 95% CI 1.4 -25.9, p = 0.017). The use of a machine learning-based technology to guide opioid dosing during major abdominal surgery resulted in reduced PACU pain scores with less patients in severe pain.

Completion of an Enhanced Recovery Program in a Pediatric Ambulatory Surgery Center: A Quality Improvement Initiative.

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) was first established in 2001 focusing on recovery from complex surgical procedures in adults and recently expanded to ambulatory surgery. The evidence for ERAS in children is limited. In 2018, recognized experts began developing needed pediatric evidence. Center-wide efforts involving all ambulatory surgical patients and procedures have not previously been described. A comprehensive assessment and gap analysis of ERAS elements in our ambulatory center identified 11 of 19 existing elements. The leadership committed to implementing an Enhanced Recovery Program (ERP) to improve existing elements and close as many remaining gaps as possible. A quality improvement (QI) team was launched to improve 5 existing ERP elements and to introduce 6 new elements (target 17/19 ERP elements). The project plan was broken into 1 preparation phase to collect baseline data and 3 implementation phases to enhance existing and implement new elements. Statistical process control methodology was used. Team countermeasures were based on available evidence. A consensus process was used to resolve disagreement. Monthly meetings were held to share real-time data, gather new feedback, and modify countermeasure plans as needed. The primary outcome measure selected was mean postanesthesia care unit (PACU) length of stay (LOS). Secondary outcomes measures were mean maximum pain score in PACU and patient/family satisfaction scores. The team had expanded the pool of active ERP elements from 11 to 16 of 19. The mean PACU LOS demonstrated significant reduction (early in phase 1 and again in phase 3). No change was seen for the mean maximum pain score in PACU or surgical complication rates. Patient/family satisfaction scores were high and sustained throughout the period of study (91.1% ± 5.7%). Patient/family and provider engagement/compliance were high. This QI project demonstrated the feasibility of pediatric ERP in an ambulatory surgical setting. Furthermore, a center-wide approach was shown to be possible. Additional studies are needed to determine the relevance of this project to other institutions.

Improved Pain and Perioperative Outcomes After Hip Arthroscopy With the Pericapsular Nerve Group Block

To compare early postoperative pain in patients undergoing hip arthroscopy with versus without the pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block. A retrospective chart review of prospectively collected data was performed to identify patients who underwent hip arthroscopy at a single institution between May 2019 and October 2021. Patients were included if they received general anesthesia and were opioid naive. Patients who received the PENG block were compared with patients who did not. Opioid, benzodiazepine, and antiemetic medication administration was recorded both intraoperatively and for the duration of the patient's stay in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU). Opioids administered were converted to morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs). Pain was assessed with a visual analog scale. Time to discharge (in minutes) and complications were recorded. A total of 53 patients were identified for inclusion, of whom 28 received the PENG block and 25 did not. Opioid consumption was significantly lower in the PENG block group both intraoperatively (16.9 ± 14.1 MMEs vs 40.6 ± 18.3 MMEs, P < .001) and in the PACU (14.4 ± 11.4 MMEs vs 31.2 ± 20.1 MMEs, P < .001). The highest recorded PACU pain score was significantly greater in the no-PENG block group (7.0 ± 1.9 vs 5.3 ± 2.1, P= .004). Within the PENG block group, fewer patients required antiemetics (0 vs 4, P= .043). There was a greater time to discharge in the no-PENG block group (161 ± 50 minutes vs 129 ± 34 minutes, P= .008). No complications, including postoperative falls, were noted in either group. The PENG block improves perioperative outcomes by decreasing pain, opioid consumption, time to discharge, antiemetic requirements, and benzodiazepine requirements after hip arthroscopy. Level III, retrospective comparative therapeutic trial.

Virtual reality immersion compared to monitored anesthesia care for hand surgery: A randomized controlled trial.

IntroductionCommon anesthesia practice for hand surgery combines a preoperative regional anesthetic and intraoperative monitored anesthesia care (MAC). Despite adequate regional anesthesia, patients may receive doses of intraoperative sedatives which can result in oversedation and potentially avoidable complications. VR could prove to be a valuable tool for patients and providers by distracting the mind from processing noxious stimuli resulting in minimized sedative use and reduced risk of oversedation without negatively impacting patient satisfaction. Our hypothesis was that intraoperative VR use reduces sedative dosing during elective hand surgery without detracting from patient satisfaction as compared to a usual care control.MethodsForty adults undergoing hand surgery were randomized to receive either intraoperative VR in addition to MAC, or usual MAC. Patients in both groups received preoperative regional anesthesia at provider discretion. Intraoperatively, the VR group viewed programming of their choice via a head-mounted display. The primary outcome was intraoperative propofol dose per hour (mg · hr-1). Secondary outcomes included patient reported pain and anxiety, overall satisfaction, functional outcome, and post anesthesia care unit (PACU) length of stay (LOS).ResultsOf the 40 enrolled patients, 34 completed the perioperative portion of the trial. VR group patients received significantly less propofol per hour than the control group (Mean (±SD): 125.3 (±296.0) vs 750.6 (±334.6) mg · hr-1, p<0.001). There were no significant differences between groups in patient reported overall satisfaction, (0–100 scale, Median (IQR) 92 (77–100) vs 100 (100–100), VR vs control, p = 0.087). There were no significant differences between groups in PACU pain scores, perioperative opioid analgesic dose, or in postoperative functional outcome. PACU LOS was significantly decreased in the VR group (53.0 (43.0–72.0) vs 75.0 (57.5–89.0) min, p = 0.018).ConclusionVR immersion during hand surgery led to significant reductions in intraoperative propofol dose and PACU LOS without negatively impacting key patient reported outcomes.

The association of Serratus Anterior Plane blocks with postoperative opioid use and analgesia following simple lumpectomy: a retrospective cohort analysis

BackgroundThe potential benefit of regional interventions for simple lumpectomy breast cancer surgeries has not been well investigated. Understanding which patients to not offer a regional intervention to can be just as important as knowing which would benefit. It is unclear whether fascial plane blocks, such as serratus anterior plane (SAP) block, should be routinely performed for less extensive breast surgeries. Therefore, our goal in this retrospective cohort study was to evaluate the association of integrating SAP blocks into a standard perioperative multimodal analgesia plan in patients undergoing simple lumpectomies (without node biopsies) with perioperative opioid consumption. As secondary outcomes, we also analyzed postoperative pain scores and post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) length of stay.MethodsThis was a single institution retrospective cohort study (surgical site infiltration only versus SAP block cohorts) assessing the association of SAP blocks to our outcomes of interest. In the adjusted analysis, we created matched cohorts using 1:1 (surgical site infiltration only: SAP block) propensity-score matching using nearest neighbor-matching without replacement. To compare the primary and secondary outcomes in the matched cohorts, we used the Wilcoxon signed rank test. A P-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsThere were 419 patients included in the analysis, in which 116 (27.7%) received a SAP block preoperatively in addition to our standard perioperative analgesia plan. In an unadjusted analysis, no differences were seen in perioperative opioid consumption, PACU pain scores, and PACU length of stay. Among the matched cohorts, the median [quartile] perioperative opioid consumption in the surgical site infiltration only versus SAP block cohorts were 10 mg [10, 13.25 mg] and 10 mg [7, 15 mg], respectively (P = 0.16). No differences were seen in the other outcomes.ConclusionsIn this study, we evaluated the impact of SAP blocks on patients undergoing simple lumpectomies, which are relatively less involved breast surgeries. We concluded that routine use of preoperative regional anesthesia is not beneficial for these specific patients. Future studies should focus on identifying patients that would directly benefit from regional interventions.

An EBP Project: What Is the Best Music Listening Intervention for Patients Recovering in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)

<h3>Introduction</h3> In the Weinberg PACU, Patients who were having laparoscopic radical prostatectomies experience severe pain which caused them to have an increase length of stay. Additionally, these patients who suffered from prostate cancer also have high levels of anxiety that required them to have large doses of opioids administered for their pain management. The Perianesthesia nurses questioned what complementary evidence could support a non-pharmacologic approach to reducing this patient population's post-operative pain. <h3>Identification of the problem</h3> What is the best music listening intervention for patients recovering in the post anesthesia care unit? <h3>EBP Question/Purpose</h3> <b>PICO question. Databases utilized</b>. P - Post Anesthesia patients recovering in the PACU I - Best method of music listening C - Preferred music listening compared to relaxation breathing narrative O - Listening to best method will reduce anxiety and PACU pain score <h3>Methods/Evidence</h3> Literature search yielded 1006 articles and only 20 were appropriate articles that met our PICO criteria. The evidence search strategy range from year 2012-2020. The data base searches were PUBMED, CINAHL, ERIC, Jonna Briggs Institute, and Cochrane Review data bases were searched. The key mesh terms used were: music, music listening, music therapy, intervention, surgery, PACU, post- operative, randomized controlled trials, anxiety, pain and pain management. <h3>Synthesis /Recommendations</h3> Appraisal results were six level 1A's, three level 2A's, three level 1B's, two level 2B's, one level 4A's, one level 5A's and one level 5B's. Synthesis recommended two evidence-based music listening interventions: Preferred music listening method and relaxation breathing over minimalistic music for therapeutic interventions to reduce anxiety and pain. <h3>Future Perianesthesia Research</h3> Translation of EBP project to practice implemented the "Music Listening as a Postanesthesia Care Unit (PACU) Nursing Intervention for Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy Patients: A Randomized Comparative Clinical Trial. The results of this study revealed that both preferred selected music listening method and guided relaxation breathing over a minimalistic hypnotic track can meaningfully reduced patient's anxiety and PACU pain scores.

Music Listening as a Postanesthesia Care Unit (PACU) Nursing Intervention for Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy Patients: A Mixed Method Randomized Comparative Clinical Trial

<h3>Introduction/Background</h3> Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy surgery patients have reported severe pain post operatively and experienced psychological distress for potential urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction. Over this past year, PACU nurses identified anxiety and pain management as the primary cause of these patients' increased length of stay in PACU. <h3>Identification of the problem</h3> Patients undergoing major cancer surgery frequently express increased anxiety about how severe their pain will be as well as their oncology surgical outcomes. Mid-Atlantic academic teaching hospital's postanesthesia care unit (PACU) Standards of Care Committee met to discuss investigating complementary music listening methods to enhance pharmacologic pain management to address concerns in this surgical population. <h3>Purpose of the Study</h3> To compare two methods of music listening interventions on anxiety, pain, heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation among post anesthesia care unit (PACU) patients who are recovering from laparoscopic radical prostatectomy surgeries: a) patient-preferred music listening via Spotify selections; and b) relaxation breathing narrative over minimalistic hypnotic music. <h3>Methodology</h3> Randomization of participants by computer-generated table of random numbers for effective balance between the two groups. A power analysis was calculated to have 77 male participants: Group I (n=37) and Group II (n=40). Inclusion criteria/exclusion criteria established. Nurses blinded to study interventions. The study started in December 2019 and concluded in December 2020. Data collection began in PreOP and continued through discharge. <h3>Results</h3> Both Groups I and II had reduced pain scores at discharge as compared to PACU admission; both groups had significant reduction (p=0.046 Group I, and Group II (p=0.002), but changes for comparative groups (I and II) were not significant between the two groups (p=0.53). <h3>Discussion</h3> Both interventions reduced State Trait Anxiety Inventory scores and pain scores to a similar degree; this reduction was clinically and statistically significant. Pain medication use did not differ between the two groups. Notably, three study participants did not require any pain medication throughout their entire PACU stay. Qualitative inquiry question on discharge revealed significant relaxation, distraction, pain relief, and comfort when listening to music. <h3>Conclusion</h3> Study revealed both relaxation/breathing track and personally selected music can meaningfully improve patients' anxiety and PACU pain scores. <h3>Implications for perianesthesia nurses and future research</h3> Future multicenter studies of music listening methods should be studied in other surgical/procedural patients recovering in PACU.

Preoperative Cryoneurolysis for Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Case Series

PurposeThe purpose of this pilot project case series is to describe the use of preoperative cryoneurolysis for 10 patients presenting for total knee arthroplasty (TKA). DesignDescriptive research design. MethodsBilling codes were used to identify 10 patients who had previously undergone TKA, preoperative cryoneurolysis and physical therapy (PT) at a Midwestern community hospital. Data collected included anesthetic management strategies, multimodal analgesic therapies, postanesthesia care unit pain scores (PACU), pain scores during physical therapy, and achievement of a range of motion during physical therapy. FindingsNine of 10 patients who received preoperative cryoneurolysis had PACU pain scores of 0 (0-10 scale) up to 90 minutes postoperatively. Pain scores immediately following cryoneurolysis therapy were reduced in all patients reporting pain greater than 0 (1-10 pain scale) before their treatment. Increased active range of motion trends were noted with reports of decreased pain scores during postoperative physical therapy sessions. ConclusionsThis pilot project case series demonstrates potential benefits of using preoperative cryoneurolysis to provide postoperative pain control and aid with physical therapy recovery following TKA.

Dexmedetomidine reduces postoperative pain and speeds recovery after bariatric surgery: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Dexmedetomidine in opioid-sparing analgesia promotes enhanced recovery and improves postoperative outcomes. This study aimed to explore the safety and efficacy of dexmedetomidine in bariatric surgery. Meta-analysis. We selected studies from Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials before 20 April, 2021. The primary outcomes were pain scores and intravenous morphine equivalents (IVME) in the post anesthesia care unit (PACU) and postoperative day 1 (POD1). The secondary outcomes included postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), the length of hospital stay (LOS), intraoperative mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR). We extracted 697 participants from 10 randomized controlled trials. Dexmedetomidine reduced PACU pain scores (MD = -1.51, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -2.60 to -.42) after bariatric surgery, especially laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (MD = -3.05, 95%CI: -3.77 to -2.33), but it did not affect POD1 pain scores (MD = .20, 95%CI: -.85 to 1.26). Dexmedetomidine can reduce PACU IVME (MD = -4.29, 95%CI: -6.59 to -1.99), but does not reduce POD1 IVME (MD = -.36, 95%CI: -2.41 to 1.68). In addition, dexmedetomidine significantly reduced PONV both in PACU (OR = .28, 95%CI: .14-.54) and POD1 (OR = .24, 95%CI: .14-.4), shortened LOS (MD = -.29, 95%CI: -.49 to -.10), and had little effect on intraoperative MAP (MD = -6.64, 95%CI: -9.52 to -3.76) and HR (MD = -4.8, 95%CI: -11.55 to 1.94). In conclusion, the use of dexmedetomidine in opioid-sparing analgesia contributes to postoperative analgesia after bariatric surgery, but the heterogeneity was high. In addition, dexmedetomidine is beneficial for enhanced recovery.

Music Listening as a Postanesthesia Care Unit (PACU) Nursing Intervention for Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy Patients: A Randomized Comparative Clinical Trial

PurposeRandomized comparative mixed method approach with qualitative inquiry study's aim sought to determine if there was a difference in pre/post-intervention State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) scores and postanesthesia pain scores between two music listening groups of laparoscopic radical prostatectomy patients. DesignProspective randomized comparative mixed method approach with a qualitative inquiry. MethodsSample size of 77 male participants assigned by a table of random numbers to Spotify patient-preferred music selection Group I (n = 37) or minimalist hypnotic music with guided relaxation breathing (MHMGRB) instructional narrative Group II (n = 40). Outcome measures used patients’ STAI questionnaire and reported PACU admission and discharge pain scores. ResultsBoth Groups I and II had reduced pain scores at discharge as compared to admission; both groups had a significant reduction (P = .046 Group I, and Group II (P = .002), but changes for comparative groups (I and II) were not significant between the two groups (P = .53). ConclusionsStudy revealed that both patient-preferred selected music and MHMGRB can meaningfully reduce patients’ anxiety and PACU pain scores.

Effects of an opioid stewardship program on opioid consumption and related outcomes after multilevel lumbar spine fusion: a pre- and postimplementation analysis of 268 patients.

Opioid stewardship programs combine clinical, regulatory, and educational interventions to minimize inappropriate opioid use and prescribing for orthopedic and spine surgery. Most evaluations of stewardship programs quantify effects on prescriber behavior, whereas patient-relevant outcomes have been relatively neglected. The authors evaluated the impact of an opioid stewardship program on perioperative opioid consumption, prescribing, and related clinical outcomes after multilevel lumbar fusion. The study was based on a retrospective, quasi-experimental, pretest-posttest design in 268 adult patients who underwent multilevel lumbar fusion in 2016 (preimplementation, n = 141) or 2019 (postimplementation, n = 127). The primary outcome was in-hospital opioid consumption (morphine equivalent dose [MED], mg). Secondary outcomes included numeric rating scale pain scores (0-10), length of stay (LOS), incidence of opioid-induced side effects (gastrointestinal, nausea/vomiting, respiratory, sedation, cognitive), and preoperative and discharge prescribing. Outcomes were measured continuously during the hospital admission. Differences in outcomes between the epochs were assessed in bivariable (Wilcoxon signed-rank or Fisher's exact tests) and multivariable (Wald's chi-square test) analyses. In bivariable analyses, there were significant decreases in preoperative opioid use (46% vs 28% of patients, p = 0.002), preoperative opioid prescribing (MED 30 mg [IQR 20-60 mg] vs 20 mg [IQR 11-39 mg], p = 0.003), in-hospital opioid consumption (MED 329 mg [IQR 188-575 mg] vs 199 mg [100-372 mg], p < 0.001), the incidence of any opioid-related side effect (62% vs 50%, p = 0.03), and discharge opioid prescribing (MED 90 mg [IQR 60-135 mg] vs 60 mg [IQR 45-80 mg], p < 0.0001) between 2016 and 2019. There were no significant differences in postanesthesia care unit pain scores (4 [IQR 3-6] vs 5 [IQR 3-6], p = 0.33), nursing floor pain scores (4 [IQR 3-5] vs 4 [IQR 3-5], p = 0.93), or total LOS (118 hours [IQR 81-173 hours] vs 103 hours [IQR 81-132 hours], p = 0.21). On multivariable analysis, the opioid stewardship program was significantly associated with decreased discharge prescribing (Wald's chi square = 9.45, effect size -52.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] -86 to -19.0, p = 0.002). The number of lumbar levels fused had the strongest effect on total opioid consumption during the hospital stay (Wald's chi square = 16.53, effect size = 539, 95% CI 279.1 to 799, p < 0.001), followed by preoperative opioid use (Wald's chi square = 44.04, effect size = 5, 95% CI 4 to 7, p < 0.001). A significant decrease in perioperative opioid prescribing, consumption, and opioid-related side effects was found after implementation of an opioid stewardship program. These gains were achieved without adverse effects on pain scores or LOS. These results suggest the major impact of opioid stewardship programs for spine surgery may be on changing prescriber behavior.