Management of Postoperative Pain: A Clinical Practice Guideline From the American Pain Society, the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, and the American Society of Anesthesiologists' Committee on Regional Anesthesia, Executive Committee, and Administrative Council. J Pain. 2016;17:131-157. [PMID: 26827847 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2015.12.008]

Lidocaine/ketorolac-loaded biodegradable nanofibrous anti-adhesive membranes that offer sustained pain relief for surgical wounds

The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of biodegradable nanofibrous lidocaine/ketorolac-loaded anti-adhesion membranes to sustainably release analgesics on abdominal surgical wounds. The analgesic-eluting membranes with two polymer-to-drug ratios (6:1 and 4:1) were produced via an electrospinning technique. A high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) assay was employed to characterize the in vivo and in vitro release behaviors of the pharmaceuticals from the membranes. It was found that all biodegradable anti-adhesion nanofibers released effective concentrations of lidocaine and ketorolac for over 20 days post surgery. In addition, a transverse laparotomy was setup in a rat model for an in vivo assessment of activity of postoperative recovery. No tissue adhesion was observed at 2 weeks post surgery, demonstrating the potential anti-adhesion capability of the drug-eluting nanofibrous membrane. The postoperative activities were recorded for two groups of rats as follows: rats that did not have any membrane implanted (group A) and rats that had the analgesic-eluting membrane implanted (group B). Rats in group B exhibited faster recovery times than those in group A with regard to postoperative activities, confirming the pain relief effectiveness of the lidocaine- and ketorolac-loaded nanofibrous membranes. The experimental results suggested that the anti-adhesion nanofibrous membranes with sustainable elution of lidocaine and ketorolac are adequately effective and durable for the purposes of postoperative pain relief in rats.

Perioperative pain management strategies among women having reproductive surgeries

This review presents opioid-sparing strategies for perioperative pain management among women undergoing reproductive surgeries and procedures. Recommendations are provided regarding the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, acetaminophen, other adjunctive medications, and regional anesthetic blocks. Additional considerations for chronic opioid users or patients using opioid replacement or antagonist therapy are discussed.

Pain reporting and analgesia management in 270 children with a progressive neurologic, metabolic or chromosomally based condition with impairment of the central nervous system: cross-sectional, baseline results from an observational, longitudinal study

Little is known about the prevalence, characterization and treatment of pain in children with progressive neurologic, metabolic or chromosomal conditions with impairment of the central nervous system. The primary aims of this study were to explore the differences between parental and clinical pain reporting in children with life-limiting conditions at the time of enrollment into an observational, longitudinal study and to determine if differences in pain experiences were associated with patient- or treatment-related factors. Pain was common, under-recognized and undertreated among the 270 children who enrolled into the "Charting the Territory" study. Children identified by their parents as experiencing pain (n=149, 55%) were older, had more comorbidities such as dyspnea/feeding difficulties, were less mobile with lower functional skills and used analgesic medications more often, compared to pain-free children. Forty-one percent of children with parent-reported pain (21.8% of all patients) experienced pain most of the time. The majority of clinicians (60%) did not document pain assessment or analgesic treatment in the medical records of patients who were experiencing pain. Documentation of pain in the medical record was positively correlated with children receiving palliative care services and being prescribed analgesics, such as acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and opioids, as well as the adjuvant analgesics gabapentin and amitriptyline.

Pain Assessment Discrepancies: A Cross-Sectional Study Highlights the Amount of Underrated Pain

BACKGROUND

Inadequately treated postoperative pain can lead to longer healing processes, longer hospital stays, and the development of chronic pain. In a 900-bed university hospital in Switzerland, pain scores were assessed systematically. The study's primary aim was to define whether the routine pain assessment on the ward is accurate and reproducible. Subsequently the obtained data were used for a benchmark analysis to determine the hospital's performance in pain assessment quality compared with similar centers.

METHODS

During a 3-month period, PAIN OUT questionnaires were used for patients' interviews. Patients were included randomly according to the daily surgical schedule. Pain scores were assessed routinely by nursing staff on the wards and compared to PAIN OUT data. The ascertained data were analyzed by descriptive statistics as well as the Wilcoxon test for nonparametric values using IBM SPSS.

RESULTS

658 patients were included in the study. Comparing routine pain measurements with PAIN OUT results revealed that within the first 24 hours on the ward, pain scores were significantly lower than measured with PAIN OUT questionnaires. This difference increased with increasing pain scores. The quality of pain management of the hospital in which this study was performed ranged around the 50th percentile when compared to similar centers.

CONCLUSION

The cross-sectional data comparison of pain assessment by the ward staff and by interviews with the PAIN OUT questionnaire showed a large gap of underrated pain. The benchmark analysis with the method of PAIN OUT suggests a decent pain management among reference groups.

Intraoperative ketamine for prevention of postoperative delirium or pain after major surgery in older adults: an international, multicentre, double-blind, randomised clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Delirium is a common and serious postoperative complication. Subanaesthetic ketamine is often administered intraoperatively for postoperative analgesia, and some evidence suggests that ketamine prevents delirium. The primary purpose of this trial was to assess the effectiveness of ketamine for prevention of postoperative delirium in older adults.

METHODS

The Prevention of Delirium and Complications Associated with Surgical Treatments [PODCAST] study is a multicentre, international randomised trial that enrolled adults older than 60 years undergoing major cardiac and non-cardiac surgery under general anaesthesia. Using a computer-generated randomisation sequence we randomly assigned patients to one of three groups in blocks of 15 to receive placebo (normal saline), low-dose ketamine (0·5 mg/kg), or high dose ketamine (1·0 mg/kg) after induction of anaesthesia, before surgical incision. Participants, clinicians, and investigators were blinded to group assignment. Delirium was assessed twice daily in the first 3 postoperative days using the Confusion Assessment Method. We did analyses by intention-to-treat and assessed adverse events. This trial is registered with clinicaltrials.gov, number NCT01690988.

FINDINGS

Between Feb 6, 2014, and June 26, 2016, 1360 patients were assessed, and 672 were randomly assigned, with 222 in the placebo group, 227 in the 0·5 mg/kg ketamine group, and 223 in the 1·0 mg/kg ketamine group. There was no difference in delirium incidence between patients in the combined ketamine groups and the placebo group (19·45% vs 19·82%, respectively; absolute difference 0·36%, 95% CI -6·07 to 7·38, p=0·92). There were more postoperative hallucinations (p=0·01) and nightmares (p=0·03) with increasing ketamine doses compared with placebo. Adverse events (cardiovascular, renal, infectious, gastrointestinal, and bleeding), whether viewed individually (p value for each >0·40) or collectively (36·9% in placebo, 39·6% in 0·5 mg/kg ketamine, and 40·8% in 1·0 mg/kg ketamine groups, p=0·69), did not differ significantly across groups.

INTERPRETATION

A single subanaesthetic dose of ketamine did not decrease delirium in older adults after major surgery, and might cause harm by inducing negative experiences.

FUNDING

National Institutes of Health and Cancer Center Support.

Preoperative paravertebral blocks for the management of acute pain following mastectomy: a cost-effectiveness analysis

PURPOSE

Preoperative paravertebral blocks (PPVBs) are routinely used for treating post-mastectomy pain, yet uncertainties remain about the cost-effectiveness of this modality. We aim to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of PPVBs at common willingness-to-pay (WTP) thresholds.

METHODS

A decision analytic model compared two strategies: general anesthesia (GA) alone versus GA with multilevel PPVB. For the GA plus PPVB limb, patients were subjected to successful block placement versus varying severity of complications based on literature-derived probabilities. The need for rescue pain medication was the terminal node for all postoperative scenarios. Patient-reported pain scores sourced from published meta-analyses measured treatment effectiveness. Costing was derived from wholesale acquisition costs, the Medicare fee schedule, and publicly available hospital charge masters. Charges were converted to costs and adjusted for 2016 US dollars. A commercial payer perspective was adopted. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were evaluated against WTP thresholds of $500 and $50,000 for postoperative pain control.

RESULTS

The ICER for preoperative paravertebral blocks was $154.49 per point reduction in pain score. 15% variation in inpatient costs resulted in ICER values ranging from $124.40-$180.66 per pain point score reduction. Altering the probability of block success by 5% generated ICER values of $144.71-$163.81 per pain score reduction. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis yielded cost-effective trials 69.43% of the time at $500 WTP thresholds.

CONCLUSION

Over a broad range of probabilities, PPVB in mastectomy reduces postoperative pain at an acceptable incremental cost compared to GA. Commercial payers should be persuaded to reimburse this technique based on convincing evidence of cost-effectiveness.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to manage pain and opioid use after major surgery: Preliminary outcomes from the Toronto General Hospital Transitional Pain Service

Background: Chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) and associated long-term opioid use are major public health concerns. Aims: The Toronto General Hospital Transitional Pain Service (TPS) is a multidisciplinary, hospital-integrated program developed to prevent and manage CPSP and support opioid tapering. This clinical practice-based study reports on preliminary outcomes of the TPS psychology program, which provides acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) to patients at risk for CPSP and persistent opioid use. Methods: Ninety-one patients received ACT, whereas 252 patients did not (no ACT group). Patient outcomes were compared for the two groups at first and last TPS visits. Pain, pain interference, sensitivity to pain traumatization, pain catastrophizing, anxiety, depression, and opioid use were analyzed using two-way (Group [ACT, no ACT] × Time [first, last visit]) analyses of variance (ANOVAs). Results: Patients referred to ACT were more likely to report a mental health condition preoperatively (P < 0.001), had higher opioid use (P < 0.001) at the first postsurgical visit, and reported higher sensitivity to pain traumatization (P < 0.05) and anxiety (P < 0.05) than the no ACT group at both time points. Both groups showed reductions in pain, pain interference, pain catastrophizing, anxiety, and opioid use by the last TPS visit (P < 0.05). The ACT group demonstrated greater reductions in opioid use and pain interference and showed reductions in depressed mood (P = 0.001) by the end of treatment compared to the no ACT group. Conclusion: Preliminary outcomes suggest that ACT was effective in reducing opioid use while pain interference and mood improved.

Adaptation to illness in relation to pain perceived by patients after surgery

Background

Pain is one of the factors that decrease quality of life. Undergoing surgery is inevitably associated with the sensation of pain, which can affect a patient’s level of acceptance of an illness. The aim of the study was to evaluate the level of acceptance of illness in patients undergoing surgical treatment with relation to the pain perceived by them during surgical treatment and to determine other factors that affect adaptation to illness among patients subjected to invasive treatment.

Material and methods

The study was conducted on a group of 100 patients with mean age of 51.27 (SD=18.98) hospitalized in surgery departments in the Provincial Specialist Hospital in Wrocław, Poland, in April 2016. The Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS) and the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain were used.

Results

The mean score of VAS was 3.86 (SD =2.02). The mean score of AIS was 24.42 (SD =7.35). The level of acceptance of illness was significantly negatively correlated with the intensity of pain (p<0.001; r=−0.498), the number of coexisting diseases (p=0.002; r=−0.31), age (p<0.001; r=−0.391), and the period of time since the operation (p=0.007; r=−0.266). Patients taking analgesics showed a significantly lower acceptance of illness than those who did not (p=0.009). A patient’s place of living, education, and sex had no significant impact on their acceptance of illness.

Conclusion

A higher level of pain translates into a lower adaptation to illness despite the use of analgesics, which may indicate that inadequate pain control leads to a decrease in the acceptance of illness. Further research on monitoring postoperative pain, as well as the development of postoperative prevention programs, is required.

A Pain Education Intervention for Patients Undergoing Ambulatory Inguinal Hernia Repair

Background

Inguinal hernia repair is a common ambulatory surgery after which many patients experience moderate to severe post-operative pain. Limited research has examined the effect of education interventions to reduce pain after ambulatory surgery.

Purpose

This trial evaluated the effectiveness of an individualized Hernia Repair Education Intervention (HREI) for patients following inguinal hernia repair.

Method

Pre-operatively, participants (N = 82) were randomized to either the intervention (HREI) or the usual care group. The HREI included written and verbal information regarding managing pain and two telephone support calls (before and after surgery). The primary outcome was WORST 24-h pain intensity on movement on post-operative day 2. Secondary outcomes included pain intensity at rest and movement, pain-related interference with activities, pain quality, analgesics consumed, and adverse effects at post-operative days 2 and 7.

Results

At day 2, the intervention group reported significantly lower scores across pain intensity outcomes, including WORST 24-h pain on movement and at rest (p < 0.001), and pain NOW on movement and at rest (p = 0.001).

Conclusion

These findings suggest that the HREI may improve patients’ pain and function following ambulatory inguinal hernia repair. Further research should examine the effectiveness of an education intervention over a longer period of time.

Multilevel Thoracic Paravertebral Block Using Ropivacaine With/Without Dexmedetomidine in Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery

OBJECTIVES

Thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) is reported to have advantages in postoperative pain management in unilateral thoracic surgeries. Previous studies have demonstrated that dexmedetomidine could be used as an adjuvant to local anesthetics, with the aim of prolonging the duration of neural blockade. However, little is known about whether such a combination could improve the quality of postoperative analgesia compared with local anesthetic only when TPVB is used for patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS).

DESIGN

A prospective, randomized, controlled study.

SETTING

Single-center university hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

The study included 60 patients undergoing VATS under general anesthesia.

INTERVENTIONS

The patients were allocated randomly into the following 2 groups: 0.375% ropivacaine, 20 mL only (group R, n = 30), and 0.375% ropivacaine, 20 mL plus 1 μg/kg of dexmedetomidine (group RD, n = 30). At the end of surgery, TPVB guided using ultrasound was performed at 4 points-T4-5, T5-6, T6-7, and T7-8-of the surgical side; 5 mL of solution were injected at each point. Postoperatively, the intravenous nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug flurbiprofen was used as part of multimodal analgesia.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Pain scores at rest and during coughing were evaluated by a blinded observer in the postanesthesia care unit postoperatively at 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, 36, and 48 hours, and the dermatomal levels of sensory blockade, postoperative requirements for rescue analgesia, adverse events, and patient satisfaction also were recorded. There was a significant reduction in postoperative pain scores at rest starting from the postoperative 8th hour until the 48th hour and during coughing starting at the postoperative 4th hour until the 48th hour in the group RD compared with those in group R (p = 0.043). The dermatomal levels of sensory blockade were comparable in the 2 groups. Patient satisfaction after surgery was significantly higher in the group RD than in group R (p < 0.001). Total consumption of the intravenous rescue analgesic morphine and adverse events were not significantly different between the 2 groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with ropivacaine only, the addition of dexmedetomidine, 1 μg/kg, to local anesthetic for multilevel TPVB in patients undergoing VATS prolonged the duration of postoperative analgesia and improved patient satisfaction without serious side effects when combined with postoperative intravenous nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug administration.

Wide Variation and Excessive Dosage of Opioid Prescriptions for Common General Surgical Procedures

OBJECTIVE

To examine opioid prescribing patterns after general surgery procedures and to estimate an ideal number of pills to prescribe.

BACKGROUND

Diversion of prescription opioids is a major contributor to the rising mortality from opioid overdoses. Data to inform surgeons on the optimal dose of opioids to prescribe after common general surgical procedures is lacking.

METHODS

We evaluated 642 patients undergoing 5 outpatient procedures: partial mastectomy (PM), partial mastectomy with sentinel lymph node biopsy (PM SLNB), laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair (LIH), and open inguinal hernia repair (IH). Postoperative opioid prescriptions and refill data were tabulated. A phone survey was conducted to determine the number of opioid pills taken.

RESULTS

There was a wide variation in the number of opioid pills prescribed to patients undergoing the same operation. The median number (and range) prescribed were: PM 20 (0-50), PM SLNB 20 (0-60), LC 30 (0-100), LIH 30 (15-70), and IH 30 (15-120). Only 28% of the prescribed pills were taken. This percentage varied by operation: PM 15%, PM SLNB 25%, LC 33%, LIH 15%, and IH 31%. Less than 2% of patients obtained refills.We identified the number of pills that would fully supply the opioid needs of 80% of patients undergoing each operation: PM 5, PM SLNB 10, LC 15, LIH 15, and IH 15. If this number were prescribed, the number of opioid initially prescribed would be 43% of the actual number prescribed.

CONCLUSIONS

There is wide variability in opioid prescriptions for common general surgery procedures. In many cases excess pills are prescribed. Using our ideal number, surgeons can adequately treat postoperative pain and markedly decrease the number of opioids prescribed.

Age and preoperative pain are major confounders for sex differences in postoperative pain outcome: A prospective database analysis

Objectives

Current literature is in disagreement regarding female sex as a risk factor for pain after surgery. We hypothesized, that sex differences exist but that they are influenced by certain factors. Here, we investigated the influence of sex for different clinically relevant postoperative pain (POP) outcome parameters and evaluated the role of assumed confounders for sex differences.

Methods

From 1372 screened patients undergoing orthopedic surgery at the university hospital of Muenster between March 2010 and June 2011, 890 patients were included. The validated International Pain Outcomes questionnaire was used to assess the role of sex for several aspects of POP including pain severity, physical and emotional functional interference as well as the patient’s perceptions of the care they received on the first day after surgery. Assessed confounders were age, preoperative chronic pain, anesthetic technique employed and surgical procedure. All statistical analyses were performed with SPSS Statistics Software 22.

Results

Linear regression analysis demonstrated that sex was a statistically significant risk factor for “worst pain since surgery”. Additionally, significant sex differences in “time spent in severe pain”, “feeling anxious due to pain”, “feeling helpless due to pain” and “opioid consumption since surgery” could be identified. An univariate general linear model showed that “age” and “preoperative pain” were significant confounders for sex differences. Further descriptive subgroup analysis revealed consistent sex differences for several POP outcome variables especially in patients older than 50 years or patients with preoperative chronic pain. However, sex differences disappeared in younger patients and in patients without preoperative pain.

Discussion

Our data confirmed that sex differences exist in pain intensity and frequency, pain interference with feelings and opioid consumption during the first 24 hours postoperatively. However, sex differences were significantly influenced by the factors “age” and “preoperative pain”. These findings may in part explain why clinical studies get different results related to sex differences and renders specific awareness in older women and female patients with preoperative chronic pain.

Multimodal analgesia in moderate-to-severe pain: a role for a new fixed combination of dexketoprofen and tramadol

BACKGROUND

Untreated and under-treated pain represent one of the most pervasive health problems, which is worsening as the population ages and accrues risk for pain. Multiple treatment options are available, most of which have one mechanism of action, and cannot be prescribed at unlimited doses due to the ceiling of efficacy and/or safety concerns. Another limitation of single-agent analgesia is that, in general, pain is due to multiple causes. Combining drugs from different classes, with different and complementary mechanism(s) of action, provides a better opportunity for effective analgesia at reduced doses of individual agents. Therefore, there is a potential reduction of adverse events, often dose-related. Analgesic combinations are recommended by several organizations and are used in clinical practice. Provided the two agents are combined in a fixed-dose ratio, the resulting medication may offer advantages over extemporaneous combinations.

CONCLUSIONS

Dexketoprofen/tramadol (25 mg/75 mg) is a new oral fixed-dose combination offering a comprehensive multimodal approach to moderate-to-severe acute pain that encompasses central analgesic action, peripheral analgesic effect and anti-inflammatory activity, together with a good tolerability profile. The analgesic efficacy of dexketoprofen/tramadol combination is complemented by a favorable pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile, characterized by rapid onset and long duration of action. This has been well documented in both somatic- and visceral-pain human models. This review discusses the available clinical evidence and the future possible applications of dexketoprofen/tramadol fixed-dose combination that may play an important role in the management of moderate-to-severe acute pain.

Patterns of Opioid Prescribing for an Orthopaedic Trauma Population

OBJECTIVES

To determine opioid-prescribing practices to the orthopaedic trauma (OT) population at one Level I trauma center.

DESIGN

A retrospective study of discharge prescriptions for adult patients with OT. Prescription details, injury burden, and patient demographics were abstracted for patients from initial injury through a 2-month follow-up.

SETTING

Level I trauma center.

PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS

Adult patients with OT admitted over a 30-day period (n = 110).

INTERVENTION

All discharge and follow-up opioid prescriptions were recorded.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

Morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs) per day, number of opioid prescriptions, type/dose of medication prescribed.

RESULTS

One hundred thirty-five discharge prescriptions were written for 110 patients with orthopaedic injuries during the review period. All patients received opioids at the time of discharge. The MMEs prescribed at the time of discharge was 114 mg (54-300 mg) for a mean of 7.21 days (2-36.7 days). Although patients with preinjury risk factors were prescribed discharge opioids for a similar duration (7.00 days vs. 7.30 days, P = 0.81) than those without risk factors, they were prescribed significantly more MMEs than those without (130 vs. 108, P < 0.05) and were more likely to receive extended-release and long-acting opioids than those without (42.11% vs. 21.98%).

CONCLUSIONS

Pain management after OT continues to be opioid-centric despite involving a population at risk. Further focus on prescriber and patient education, risk evaluation with mitigation, guideline development, and comprehensive pain management strategies are warranted in the OT population.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Receipt of Pain Management Information Preoperatively Is Associated With Improved Functional Gain After Elective Total Joint Arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

Poorly controlled postoperative pain may adversely affect total joint arthroplasty (TJA) patients' outcomes and associated healthcare cost. Understanding effective pain management after surgery is important to patients, surgeons, and hospitals. We evaluated patient-reported receipt of preoperative pain management information in a national prospective cohort evaluating postoperative pain and function following elective TJA.

METHODS

Preoperative and 2-week and 6-month postoperative survey data of 1609 TJA patients collected between June 2013 and December 2014 were analyzed. Data included demographics, medical and musculoskeletal comorbidity, operative joint pain, physical function, and mental health. At 2 weeks postoperative, patients were asked if they had received pain management information prior to surgery, the content of that education, and pain management strategies. Descriptive statistics were performed.

RESULTS

At 2 weeks post-TJA, one-third of patients reported not receiving information about pain management; an additional 11% did not find the information helpful. There were no differences preoperatively in demographics or clinical profiles between those who received pain information and those who did not. Patients who received pain information reported less pain 2 weeks postoperatively, greater use of non-narcotic pain care strategies, and better physical function scores at 6 months postoperatively. No differences in operative joint pain were identified at 6 months between education and noneducation groups.

CONCLUSION

Forty-four percent of the patients reported that they did not receive/received unhelpful information regarding postoperative pain management, highlighting a need for improved patient education. In this sample, the lack of pain management information was associated with poorer 6-month postoperative function.

The Association Between Adjuvant Pain Medication Use and Outcomes Following Pediatric Spinal Fusion

STUDY DESIGN

A comparative effectiveness database study.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to describe variation in use of adjuvant therapies for managing postoperative pain in in patients undergoing posterior spinal fusion (PSF) for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and determine association between use of these therapies and patient outcomes.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Variation in postoperative pain management for children undergoing PSF for AIS likely impacts outcomes. Minimal evidence exists to support strategies that most effectively minimize prolonged intravenous (IV) opioids and hospitalizations.

METHODS

We included patients aged 10 to 18 years discharged from one of 38 freestanding children's hospitals participating in a national database from December 1, 2012, to January 5, 2015, with ICD9 codes indicating scoliosis and PSF procedure. Use of ketorolac, gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) analogues (GABAa), and benzodiazepines was compared across hospitals. Hierarchical logistic regression adjusting for confounders and accounting for clustering of patients within hospitals was used to estimate association between these therapies and odds of prolonged duration of IV opioids, prolonged length of stay (LOS), and early readmissions.

RESULTS

Across hospitals, use of ketorolac and GABAa was highly variable and increased over time among 7349 subjects. Use of ketorolac was independently associated with significantly lower odds of prolonged LOS [odds ratio (OR) 0.75, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.64-0.89] and prolonged duration of IV opioid (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.73-0.98). GABAa use was significantly associated with decreased odds of prolonged IV opioid use (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.53-0.75). Readmission rate at 30 days was 1.6% and most strongly associated with prolonged LOS.

CONCLUSION

In this national cohort of children with AIS undergoing PSF, patients who received postoperative ketorolac or GABAa were less likely to have prolonged IV opioid exposure. Given the rapid increase in use of adjuvant therapies without strong evidence, resources should be devoted to multicenter trials in order to optimize effectiveness and outcomes.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3.

Management of postoperative pain in Spain: a nationwide survey of practice

BACKGROUND

Although the need for structured assessment and management of acute postoperative pain has been recognized, practices and responsibilities vary between and within hospitals and countries. We sought to determine current pain management practices in Spanish hospitals with and without acute pain services (APSs) or acute pain management programmes (APMPs) and compare them to practices reported for 1997-1998.

METHODS

Members of the Spanish Pain Society and APS/APMP heads were asked to respond to a survey. Responses were stratified by hospital size (< 200 or ≥ 200 beds) and APS/APMP presence or not. Categorical variables were described by percentages and the 95% confidence interval and continuous ones by the median and interquartile range.

RESULTS

Responses were received from 42.4% of hospitals with ≥ 200 beds (vs. 9.6% of the smaller ones). We fully analysed only data for the larger hospitals, 57.7% of which had an APS or APMP. Full-time pain physicians were on staff in 28.6% of large hospitals; 25% had full-time nurses. Patients received written information about postoperative pain in 34.8% of APS/APMP hospitals, and 72% of them recorded pain assessments routinely. Protocols reflected interdepartmental consensus in 80.8%; training in postoperative pain was organised in 54%. Respondents thought pain was well or very well managed in 46.4%. In APS/APMP hospitals the following results had improved: provision of written information for patients (58.5% vs. 0%), the recording of pain assessments (93% vs. 43.8%), consensus on a pain scale (92.5% vs. 41.9%), use of protocols (99.7% vs. 55.2%), analysis of quality indicators (52.8% vs. 15.4%), training (73% vs. 26.9%), and respondents' satisfaction with pain management in their hospital (68.6% vs. 9.5%).

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of an APS or APMP is associated with better results on indicators of quality of acute postoperative pain management.

Sublingual, transdermal and intravenous patient-controlled analgesia for acute post-operative pain: systematic literature review and mixed treatment comparison

OBJECTIVE

To conduct a systematic literature review (SLR) and quantitative analysis to assess the comparative efficacy and safety of the sufentanil sublingual tablet system (SSTS) against other available patient controlled analgesia (PCA) options for post-operative analgesia.

METHODS

An SLR was conducted for studies published between 2004 and 2016. Due to study heterogeneity, subgroup analyses were conducted controlling for differences in imputation methods for missing values, baseline pain severity, and type of surgery. Where sufficient data was available, a mixed treatment comparison (MTC) was performed.

RESULTS

The MTC and subgroup analyses used 13 studies. In direct meta-analysis, there was a statistically significant difference in favor of SSTS compared with intravenous (IV) PCA (morphine) at 24 hours for the patient global assessment (PGA) scores of "good" or "excellent". For the Pain Intensity Score, there were numerical but not statistically significant differences in favor of the SSTS versus IV PCA (morphine) and the patient controlled transdermal system (PCTS) (fentanyl) in the MTC at 6 hours (standardized mean difference -0.27 [credible interval -2.78, 2.09] and -0.36 [-3.89, 3.03], respectively). The onset of pain relief was earlier with the SSTS versus IV PCA (morphine) as shown by the Pain Intensity Difference. Likewise, the onset was earlier compared with PCTS (fentanyl) where data was available. There was a significant difference in favor of SSTS compared with IV PCA (morphine) and with PCTS (fentanyl) for any adverse event, and numerical improvements for withdrawals due to adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis shows that SSTS is an option for non-invasive management of moderate-to-severe post-operative pain which can be more effective, faster in onset and better tolerated than IV PCA (morphine) and PCTS (fentanyl).

Comparison of Efficacy of Bupivacaine with Dexmedetomidine Versus Bupivacaine Alone for Transversus Abdominis Plane Block for Post-operative Analgesia in Patients Undergoing Elective Caesarean Section

Background

Increasing rate of Caesarean sections and inadequate pain relief following Caesarean section is seen in almost all parts of the world. Transversus abdominis plane block is gaining popularity as a part of multimodal analgesia for post-operative pain relief following abdominal surgeries.

Aim

To compare bupivacaine and bupivacaine with dexmedetomidine in transversus abdominis plane block for pain relief after Caesarean section.

Method

American Society of Anaesthesiologists I and II parturients with no comorbidities admitted for elective Caesarean section were included in the study. Thirty-five patients were in each study (with dex) and control (without dex) groups. At the end of Caesarean section done under spinal anaesthesia, transversus abdominis plane block was done bilaterally under ultrasound guidance using in-plane technique of needle insertion. 20 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine with 0.5 mcg/kg of dexmedetomidine in the study group and 20 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine in the control group were injected in the neurovascular plane.

Results

Eight patients from the study group and 15 from the control group were given opioids as rescue analgesia. The average time at which rescue analgesia was first sought was 14.25 and 7.73 h in the study and control groups, respectively. The P value of this difference was 0.0136 and was found to be statistically significant.

Conclusion

The addition of dexmedetomidine to bupivacaine in TAP block prolonged the duration of time at which first dose of rescue analgesia was sought and also reduced the total dose of opioid requirement in the first 24-h post-Caesarean section.

American Society for Enhanced Recovery (ASER) and Perioperative Quality Initiative (POQI) joint consensus statement on optimal analgesia within an enhanced recovery pathway for colorectal surgery: part 1-from the preoperative period to PACU

Background

Within an enhanced recovery pathway (ERP), the approach to treating pain should be multifaceted and the goal should be to deliver “optimal analgesia,” which we define in this paper as a technique that optimizes patient comfort and facilitates functional recovery with the fewest medication side effects.

Methods

With input from a multi-disciplinary, international group of clinicians, and through a structured review of the literature and use of a modified Delphi method, we achieved consensus surrounding the topic of optimal analgesia in the perioperative period for colorectal surgery patients.

Discussion

As a part of the first Perioperative Quality Improvement (POQI) workgroup meeting, we sought to develop a consensus document describing a comprehensive, yet rational and practical, approach for developing an evidence-based plan for achieving optimal analgesia, specifically for a colorectal surgery ERP. The goal was two-fold: (a) that application of this process would lead to improved patient outcomes and (b) that investigation of the questions raised would identify knowledge gaps to aid the direction for research into analgesia within ERPs in the years to come. This document details the evidence for a wide range of analgesic components, with particular focus from the preoperative period to the post-anesthesia care unit. The overall conclusion is that the combination of analgesic techniques employed in the perioperative period is not important as long as it is effective in delivering the goal of optimal analgesia as set forth in this document.

Anti-nerve growth factor therapy increases spontaneous day/night activity in mice with orthopedic surgery-induced pain

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA) are 2 of the most common and successful surgical interventions to relieve osteoarthritis pain. Control of postoperative pain is critical for patients to fully participate in the required physical therapy which is the most influential factor in effective postoperative knee rehabilitation. Currently, opiates are a mainstay for managing postoperative orthopedic surgery pain including TKA or THA pain. Recently, issues including efficacy, dependence, overdose, and death from opiates have made clinicians and researchers more critical of use of opioids for treating nonmalignant skeletal pain. In the present report, a nonopiate therapy using a monoclonal antibody raised against nerve growth factor (anti-NGF) was assessed for its ability to increase the spontaneous activity of the operated knee joint in a mouse model of orthopedic surgery pain-induced by drilling and coring the trochlear groove of the mouse femur. Horizontal activity and velocity and vertical rearing were continually assessed over a 20 hours day/night period using automated activity boxes in an effort to reduce observer bias and capture night activity when the mice are most active. At days 1 and 3, after orthopedic surgery, there was a marked reduction in spontaneous activity and vertical rearing; anti-NGF significantly attenuated this decline. The present data suggest that anti-NGF improves limb use in a rodent model of joint/orthopedic surgery and as such anti-NGF may be useful in controlling pain after orthopedic surgeries such as TKA or THA.

Targeting practitioners: A review of guidelines, training, and policy in pain management

This paper reviews the current literature on clinical guidelines, practitioner training, and government/payer policies that have come forth in response to the national rise in prescription opioid overdoses. A review of clinical opioid prescribing guidelines highlights the need for more research on safe and effective treatment options for chronic pain, improved guidance for the best management of post-operative pain, and evaluation of the implementation and impact of guideline recommendations on patient risk and outcomes. Although there is increasing attention to training in pain management in medical schools and medical residency programs, educational opportunities remain highly variable, and the need for additional clinician training in the recognition and treatment of pain as well as opioid use disorder has been recognized. Mandated use of private, federal and state educational and clinical initiatives such as Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) and Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs) generally increase utilization of these initiatives, but more research is needed to determine the impact of these initiatives on provider behaviors, treatment access, and patient outcomes. Finally, there is an acute need for more research on safe and effective treatments for chronic pain as well as an increased multi-level focus on improving training and access to evidence-based treatment for opioid use disorder as well as non-pharmacologic and non-interventional chronic pain treatments, so that these guideline-recommended interventions can become mainstream, accessible, first-line interventions for chronic pain and/or opioid use disorders.

Multimodal analgesia and regional anaesthesia

Multimodal analgesia provides quality analgesia, with fewer side effects due to the use of combined analgesics or analgesic techniques. Regional anaesthesia plays a fundamental role in achieving this goal. The different techniques of regional anaesthesia that include both peripheral and central blocks in either a single dose or in continuous infusion help to modulate the nociceptive stimuli that access the central level. The emergence of the ultrasound as an effective system to perform regional anaesthesia techniques has allowed the development of new regional anaesthesia techniques that formerly could not be carried out since only neurostimulation or skin references were used. It is essential to take into account that even with effective blocking it is advisable to associate other drugs by other routes, in this way we will be able to reduce the required doses individually and attempt to achieve a synergistic, not purely additive, effect.

Diclofenac Sodium Bolus Injection (Dyloject(TM)): A Review in Acute Pain Management

An intravenous bolus formulation of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac sodium has been developed using hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD) as a solubility enhancer. HPβCD diclofenac (Dyloject(TM)) is available for use in adults in the USA for the management of mild to moderate pain, and as monotherapy or in combination with opioid analgesics for the management of moderate to severe pain. In two multicentre, phase III studies in adults with acute moderate to severe postoperative pain, HPβCD diclofenac significantly reduced pain intensity and the need for rescue medication compared with placebo. In these studies, the tolerability profile of HPβCD diclofenac was generally similar to that of placebo and adverse events were mostly mild to moderate in severity. Constipation, infusion-site pain and dizziness were the most frequently reported adverse reactions occurring numerically more frequently with HPβCD diclofenac than placebo. Therapy with HPβCD diclofenac does not appear to be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular, renal or bleeding-related adverse events versus placebo. Thus, HPβCD diclofenac extends the treatment options currently available for the management of moderate to severe postoperative pain in adults.

Predictors of Acute Postsurgical Pain After Inguinal Hernioplasty

Acute postsurgical pain (APSP) is a common and anticipated problem after surgery with detrimental consequences if not appropriately managed. This study examined the independent and joint contribution of presurgical demographic, clinical, and psychological variables as predictors of APSP intensity, evaluated using an 11-point numeric rating scale, after inguinal hernioplasty, one of the most performed surgeries worldwide. In a prospective observational cohort study, a consecutive sample of 135 men undergoing hernioplasty was assessed before and 48 hours after surgery. When adjusted for depression, helplessness, and magnification scores, a multiple hierarchical regression analysis revealed that younger age (β = -.247, P < .005), previous chronic pain (β = .175, P < .05), presurgical anxiety (β = .235, P < .05), and the rumination component of pain catastrophizing (β = .222, P < .05) were significant predictors of APSP intensity. The integrative predictive model found in this study revealed the simultaneous influence that demographic, clinical, and psychological factors have on APSP after inguinal hernioplasty. Therefore, these results improve knowledge on APSP predictors after inguinal hernioplasty and highlight potential modifiable intervention targets, such as anxiety and pain catastrophizing (rumination), for the design of interventions focused on APSP prevention and management. Hence, taken together, these findings lend support for the inclusion of presurgical screening and psychological interventions among surgical patients at risk for higher APSP intensity.

PERSPECTIVE

This study found that, when adjusted for depression, helplessness, and magnification scores, the variables younger age, previous chronic pain, presurgical anxiety, and the rumination component of pain catastrophizing are significant predictors of APSP intensity after inguinal hernioplasty. These findings improve knowledge on APSP and highlight potential modifiable intervention targets for the design of interventions focused on APSP prevention and management.

Assessing and Managing Acute Pain: A Call to Action

: Acute pain, which is usually sudden in onset and time limited, serves a biological protective function, warning the body of impending danger. However, while acute pain often resolves over time with normal healing, unrelieved acute pain can disrupt activities of daily living and transition to chronic pain. This article describes the effects of unrelieved acute pain on patients and clinical outcomes. The authors call on nurses to assess and manage acute pain in accordance with evidence-based guidelines, expert consensus reports, and position statements from professional nursing organizations in order to minimize the likelihood of its becoming chronic.

Reliability and Validity of the Chinese Version of the Revised American Pain Society Patient Outcome Questionnaire in Postoperative Patients

The American Pain Society Patient Outcome Questionnaire and the subsequent revised version are the most frequently reported measures of the quality of pain management. However, the reliability and validity of the revised questionnaire have not been reported in Chinese patients. This study sought to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the revised questionnaire in postoperative patients in China. The study was a descriptive, cross-sectional psychometric study. The revised questionnaire was translated into Chinese according to international guidelines and then administered to participants. The patients' present, average, and worst pain intensity were evaluated in face-to-face interviews. The Pain Management Index was calculated according to the worst pain intensity and the classification of analgesic drugs used by the patients. The continuous items in the revised questionnaire demonstrated excellent construct validity and acceptable internal consistency reliability (0.732). Cronbach's alpha coefficients for the following subscales were acceptable: pain severity and sleep interference (0.773), activity interference (0.812), affective (0.824), and adverse effects (0.636); the exception was for the perception of pain care subscale (0.492). Patients with different anticipated pain management outcomes were differentiated as expected. Satisfaction could be predicted (31.3% of the variance) using subscales and items in the questionnaire. Although our evidence supports the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the revised questionnaire when tested with postoperative patients, further study is needed, especially on the subscale perception of pain care.

The Experience of Intense Pain: Nursing Management and Interventions

Personal stories of illness give depth to otherwise clinical descriptions of diagnoses. This article offers an autobiographical narrative of complications after total knee replacement surgery. Diagnosis and nursing management of acute compartment syndrome, nociceptive and neuropathic origins of pain, pharmacologic and nursing interventions for pain, the use of prayer in illness, and compassionate caring from a Christian perspective are discussed.

Introduction of a novel ultrasound-guided extrathoracic sub-paraspinal block for control of perioperative pain in Nuss procedure patients

BACKGROUND

A safe and effective method of multilevel thoracic pain control remains an elusive goal in patients undergoing the Nuss procedure. The aim of our study was to develop a nonopioid centered approach using a novel regional technique as part of a quality improvement initiative.

METHODS

The proposed ultrasound-guided technique positions multi-perforated soaker catheter deep to the paraspinal muscles from T2 to T11. The project was conducted in two phases. First, a cadaveric dissection was performed to establish the pathway of spread of local anesthetic in vivo. Second, a pilot double blind randomized control project was conducted to evaluate effectiveness of the technique in ten patients and to derive parameters necessary for the definitive future study. Outcomes were evaluated based on the narcotic requirement, pain scores and functional measures.

RESULTS

Placement of the catheters in two cadavers demonstrated reliable positioning in the subparaspinal tissue plane, and multilevel dye spread along the intercostal nerve path. In addition, a potential route of spread toward the paravertebral space along the canal accommodating dorsal ramus of the thoracic nerve was demonstrated. The pilot trial demonstrated a trend in decreased cumulative hydromorphone requirement in comparison to the control group at both 24h (0.19±0.09mg/kg vs. 0.13±0.08mg/kg p=0.72) and 48h (0.37±0.2mg/kg vs. 0.3±0.12mg/kg p=0.37). Functional performance ability was higher in the treatment group on both POD#1 (6.7±1.8 vs. 4.8±1 p=0.0495) and POD#2 (8.9±0.8 vs. 6.5±1.2 p=0.04). Pain scores were similar among the two groups (p=0.96).

CONCLUSIONS

We describe a new technique to treat multilevel thoracic pain following the Nuss procedure that is reproducible, safe, allows diminished opioid use and enhances functional recovery.

American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons® Clinical Consensus Statement: Perioperative Management

A wide range of factors contribute to the complexity of the management plan for an individual patient, and it is the surgeon's responsibility to consider the clinical variables and to guide the patient through the perioperative period. In an effort to address a number of important variables, the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons convened a panel of experts to derive a clinical consensus statement to address selected issues associated with the perioperative management of foot and ankle surgical patients.

Integration of pain scores, morphine consumption and demand/delivery ratio to evaluate patient-controlled analgesia: the C-SIA score

Background

Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) is used to manage postoperative pain. Postoperatively, some patients need to be re-instructed on its correct use. This study explores the efficacy of re-instruction and illustrates a comprehensive version of the Silverman integrated approach (C-SIA), based on the integration of static and dynamic pain scores, morphine consumption, and the ratio between demanded and delivered PCA boluses (the DD ratio).

Methods

In total, 50 patients operated on for colorectal surgery were studied retrospectively. The change in DD ratio after re-instruction was analyzed as the primary endpoint. Re-instructed and not re-instructed subjects were compared according to DD ratio, pain scores, and morphine consumption. A secondary comparison was performed using the SIA and C-SIA scores, to illustrate the reliability of the latter tool. Agreement between C-SIA and SIA score was assessed using a Bland-Altman analysis.

Results

In re-instructed patients, the DD ratio decreased after re-education (P = 0.011). Re-instructed patients had higher DD ratios (P = 0.018) and pain scores at rest (P = 0.024) and movement (P = 0.012) at 24 h after surgery than not re-instructed subjects. These differences disappeared at the 48 h visit. Both the SIA and C-SIA scores reflected these findings. C-SIA scores showed a higher coefficient of correlation with the DD ratio (r = 0.815; P < 0.001) than SIA scores (r = 0.663; P < 0.001). The C-SIA scores, in absolute values, being based on more variables, were, on average, 2.5 times the SIA score.

Conclusions

Re-instruction is effective for optimizing PCA therapy. The C-SIA is an alternative to the SIA score that gives an overall measure of PCA therapy efficacy.