Postoperative pain management with transdermal fentanyl after forefoot surgery: a randomized, placebo-controlled study

Transdermal Fentanyl Patch Effectiveness in Postoperative PainManagement in Orthopedic Patients: Literature Review

Controlling pain after major orthopedic surgery may be challenging, and it is related to delayed recovery, the development of chronic pain, and analgesic dependence. It is well known that effective postoperative pain control can reduce hospital stays by ensuring a more rapid rehabilitation,thereby decreasing the overall costs. Despite the development of analgesics, the use of opioids and their derivates remains the cornerstone of treatment for patients with acute moderate-to-severe pain in association with general or regional anesthesia. To reduce the risk of side effects and opioid addiction, considering the alarming epidemiological reports in relation to opioid abuse, combined analgesic methods are used, in addition to lower dosages or different forms of administration, such as transdermal administration. Fentanyl transdermal patches appear to be effective in controlling postoperative pain as part of multimodal analgesic regimens in knee and hip surgery, shoulder arthroplasty, traumatic fractures, and one-day surgery; this treatment has fewer associated side effects and can be safely used even in patients with renal impairment. It is also recommended for postoperative pain management in combination with a femoral-sciatic nerve block during foot and ankle surgery.

Transdermal Ketoprofen Versus Fentanyl Patches for Pain Management Post-cesarean Section: A Comparative, Randomized, Double-Blind Study

INTRODUCTION

Postoperative pain management after a cesarean section is essential to promote mother-infant bonding and ease of breastfeeding. Transdermal patches present a viable alternative to oral medications, offering controlled drug delivery and better bioavailability while avoiding first-pass metabolism, all of which can facilitate smoother recovery and rehabilitation.

METHODS

This comparative, randomized, double-blind study was conducted on 70 parturients scheduled for cesarean section under spinal anesthesia, classified as ASA II. Patients were randomly divided into two groups: Group K (transdermal ketoprofen patch, 30 mg) and Group F (transdermal fentanyl patch, 25 mcg). The patches were applied immediately after spinal anesthesia. Pain was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and sedation was assessed using the Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale for 24 hours.

RESULTS

There was no statistically significant difference in the VAS scores between the two groups from two to 14 hours postoperatively. However, a statistically significant difference was observed at 16 hours (Group K 2 ± 0.87 vs. Group F 2.5 ± 0.86, p = 0.029) and 20 hours (Group K 1.77 ± 0.86 vs. Group F 2.33 ± 0.8, p = 0.011). Rescue analgesia was required in seven (20%) of the patients in Group K and 12 (34.29%) of the patients in Group F, though this difference was not statistically significant. At 20 hours, Group K had more alert and calm patients (33 (94.29%) vs. 26 (74.29%)), with fewer drowsy or restless patients compared to Group F (p = 0.044). At 24 hours, Group K had significantly fewer drowsy patients (0 (0%) vs. 13 (37.14%)) and more alert patients (34 (97.14%) vs. 19 (54.29%)), with fewer restless patients (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Both the ketoprofen patch (30 mg) and the fentanyl patch (25 mcg) provided comparable analgesia for the first 12 hours. However, at 16 and 20 hours, the ketoprofen patch was more effective than the fentanyl patch in providing analgesia. More patients in the fentanyl group were drowsy after 16 hours, though normal sleep patterns may have contributed to this observation.

Opioid-Free Forefoot Surgery vs Traditional Perioperative Opiate Regimen: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

In response to the opioid epidemic, the use of multimodal pain management in orthopaedic surgery is increasing. Efforts to decrease opioid prescribing and opioid consumption among foot and ankle surgical patients are needed. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy and adverse events between 2 multimodal pain management pathways for forefoot surgical patients: standard opioid-containing (OC) and opioid-free (OF).

METHODS

This is a single-center noninferior randomized controlled trial of 51 patients undergoing forefoot surgery allocated to one of 2 perioperative pain management treatments: opioid-free, multimodal (OF, n=27 patients), or traditional opioid-containing (OC, n=24 patients). Patient characteristics, creatine markers, pain (numeric rating scale [NRS]), general health (Veterans Rand 12-Item Health Survey [VR-12]), and depression were measured preoperatively. Postoperatively, pain was measured at 24-hour, 2-week, and 6-week time points. Satisfaction with pain control, complications, and general health were measured at 2 and 6 weeks.

RESULTS

The OF group is statistically noninferior to the OC group and reported lower median pain scores at 24 hours (2 [IQR 0, 3] vs 6 [IQR 3.5, 7]; p<.0001) and 2 weeks (2 [IQR 1, 4] vs 4 [IQR 0, 3]; p=.018]. By 6 weeks, pain levels were similar between groups. More than 85% of all patients reported satisfaction with pain level at 2 weeks, which increased to >90% at 6 weeks. The VR-12 scores were similar between groups across all time points. At 2 weeks, 8 patients in each group reported constipation. By 6 weeks, all but 2 OC patients reported resolution. No other adverse events of postoperative wound complications, readmissions, medication reactions, thrombosis, or persistent pain were documented.

CONCLUSION

In forefoot surgery, the opioid-free pain management protocol was statistically noninferior to the opioid-containing protocol in reducing postoperative pain.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level II, prospective cohort study.

Postoperative Opioid Consumption in Opioid-Naïve Patients Undergoing Hallux Valgus Correction

BACKGROUND

Postoperative pain management following orthopedic surgeries can be challenging, and the opioid epidemic has made it essential to better individualize opioid prescriptions by patient and procedure. The purpose of this subgroup analysis of a prospective study was to investigate immediate postoperative opioid pill consumption and prolonged use in patients undergoing operative correction of hallux valgus (HV).

METHODS

Patients undergoing outpatient HV correction procedures with 5 fellowship-trained foot and ankle surgeons over a 1-year period were included. Patients were excluded if they were being prescribed chronic opioid analgesics for an underlying condition prior to the date of initial injury or if they underwent concomitant nonforefoot procedures. At the patient's first postoperative visit, opioid pills were counted, and these were standardized to the equivalent number of 5-mg oxycodone pills. Linear regression analysis was performed to determine if any of the procedure categories or patient factors were independently associated with postoperative opioid consumption. Prolonged use of opioids 90 to 180 days after the procedure was also examined using our state's online Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP). One-hundred thirty-seven patients (86% female) were included. Thirty-six patients (26%) underwent primary chevron osteotomies, 78 (57%) underwent primary proximal osteotomies (Ludloff, scarf), 10 (7%) underwent soft tissue-only procedures with or without a first proximal phalanx osteotomy (modified McBride, Akin), and 13 (9%) underwent first metatarsophalangeal arthrodeses.

RESULTS

Overall, patients consumed a median of 27 pills. There was no significant difference in postoperative opioid intake between the 4 procedures, including when subdivided into those with and without lesser toe procedures. Higher preoperative visual analog scale pain levels (P = .028) and younger patient age (P = .042) were associated with higher opioid pill consumption. A total of 1.5% of patients demonstrated prolonged opioid use.

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrated a lack of difference between HV procedures in terms of postoperative opioid consumption and an overall low rate of prolonged use in opioid-naïve patients.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, comparative study.

Effects of a Preoperative Transdermal Fentanyl Patch on Proinflammatory Cytokine and Pain Levels During the Postoperative Period: A Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE

The main objectives of this article were to assess the effect of preoperative transdermal fentanyl patch (TFP) on interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 levels and pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients received a TFP (25 μg/h) (patch group, n=30) or a placebo patch (control group, n=30) applied 14 hours before operation. After surgery, control group received intravenous continuous fentanyl (25 μg/h) with loading dose (25 μg). IL-6 and IL-8 levels were measured at admission and 1, 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours postoperatively. Pain score and consumption of rescue analgesic were evaluated too.

RESULTS

At 24 hours postoperatively, IL-6 and IL-8 reached a peak and then decreased. The peak IL-6 levels were 21.92(±6.22) and 24.91(±6.81) pg/mL in the patch and control group. The significant differences of IL-6 between groups were shown at 6 and 12 hours postoperatively (P=0.032, 0.0001). There were no significant differences in IL-8 levels and pain score.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative TFP attenuated the increase in IL-6 levels after surgery and provided similar analgesia to continuous fentanyl infusion. Preemptive TFP may have influence on proinflammatory reactions and pain control after surgery.

Pretreatment of ankle nerve block provides better postoperative analgesia than peri-incisional local anesthetic infiltration in hallux valgus correction surgery

Adequate postoperative analgesia after hallux valgus (HV) correction surgery improves early mobilization and decreases hospital stay. Peripheral nerve block and peri-incisional local anesthetic (LA) infiltration are both widely used for pain management in orthopedic surgeries. The aim of this study was to compare the analgesic effects between the ankle block and peri-incisional infiltration technique in patients undergoing HV correction surgery. Ninety patients scheduled for hallux valgus correction surgery were randomly allocated into three groups. In group N, patients were pretreated with tibial and peroneal nerve blocks with 8-10 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine before surgery. In group P, patients received the same LA for peri-incisional infiltration preoperatively. In group C, patients underwent surgery without regional analgesic pretreatment. All patients had intravenous fentanyl patient control analgesia as part of multimodal postoperative pain management. Fentanyl consumption, rest and moving pain scale, and adverse effects were evaluated at postoperative 6 h (Poh6), Poh12, Poh 24, and Poh36, respectively. Patients receiving bilateral feet surgeries were excluded in this study. Seventy-five patients were enrolled into final analysis. The patients in group N expressed lower resting and moving pain scores at Poh6, but the pain scores turned similarly among the three groups following Poh12 and then. The total fentanyl consumption was significantly less in group N than in group P. The postoperative activities and mood disturbance were not significantly different between groups after Poh12 and then. We conclude that ankle block is better than peri-incisional LA infiltration in HV correction surgery in pain relief and fentanyl consumption.

Consensus Perioperative Management Best Practices for Patients on Transdermal Fentanyl Patches Undergoing Surgery

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The administration of a transdermal fentanyl patch can be complicated with different pharmacokinetics than other fentanyl preparations.

RECENT FINDINGS

The medical condition and baseline opioid requirements must all be carefully considered when dosing a fentanyl patch. An advantage of the fentanyl patch is its ability to bypass the gastrointestinal tract and in many patients, provide effective analgesia with minimal side effects. Fentanyl patches must be carefully administered since morbidity and/or mortality can result from the following: Giving higher doses than a patient needs, combining the medication with potent sedatives, or heating a fentanyl patch. The use of a transdermal fentanyl patch for the treatment of acute postoperative pain is not recommended and any patient undergoing a surgical procedure should have the fentanyl patch removed preoperatively. The current manuscript discusses the history of fentanyl and the fentanyl patch, as well as perioperative considerations, contraindications, current clinical efficacy, and clinical adversities related to the transdermal fentanyl patch. Regarding the heating of a transdermal fentanyl patch, which significantly increases blood levels of fentanyl, it is of the utmost importance that the patch be removed prior to surgery.

Is the transdermal fentanyl patch an efficient way to achieve acute postoperative pain control?: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUPD

This study investigated the plasma fentanyl concentration and efficacy of transdermal fentanyl patch (TFP) (25 μg/h) in the management of acute postoperative pain.

METHODS

Patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomly allocated to 2 groups. The TFP group (n = 30) received a single TFP 25 μg/ h to the anterior chest wall 14 h before operation. The IV group (n = 30) received a placebo patch. After the operation, intravenous fentanyl infusion (25 μg/h) was begun with loading dose 25 μg in the IV group and only normal saline in the TFP group. Plasma fentanyl levels were measured at admission, 1, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h postoperatively. Pain severity and adverse effects were evaluated too.

RESULTS

The fentanyl level peaked 1 h after operation in the TFP group (3.27 ± 0.34 ng/mL) and 24 h postoperatively in the IV group (2.9 ± 0.42 ng/mL). Pain scores and the use of rescue analgesics were not significantly different between 2 groups. Respiratory depression was not happened in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The TFP (25 μg/h) affixed 14 h before surgery reached a higher constant concentration than the same dose setting of a constant IV infusion of fentanyl after surgery. Although the concentration of fentanyl was higher than those of previous researches, there was no respiratory depression. But, there was no advantage of reducing pain score and the use of rescue analgesics.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

(available at: http://cris.nih.go.kr, KCT0002221).

Perioperative analgesia with a buprenorphine transdermal patch for hallux valgus surgery: a prospective, randomized, controlled study

Purpose

Hallux valgus surgery often results in significant postoperative pain. Adequate control of pain is essential for patient satisfaction and improves the outcome of the procedure. This study aimed to investigate the perioperative analgesic effect of a buprenorphine transdermal patch in patients who underwent hallux valgus surgery.

Patients and methods

A total of 90 patients were randomly divided into the following three groups based on the perioperative analgesic method: flurbiprofen axetil intravenous injection (Group F), oral celecoxib (Group C), and buprenorphine transdermal delivery system (BTDS) (Group BTDS). The pain status, degree of satisfaction, adverse effects, and administration of tramadol hydrochloride for uncontrolled pain were recorded on the night before surgery, postoperative day 1, postoperative day 2, and postoperative day 3.

Results

The BTDS could effectively control perioperative pain for patients undergoing hallux valgus surgery. The analgesic effect of the BTDS was better than that of oral celecoxib. In addition, statistically significant differences were not observed in the visual analog scale (VAS) scores, adverse effects, and rescue analgesia between the patients who received the BTDS and the patients who received the flurbiprofen axetil intravenous injection. However, the degree of patient satisfaction of the BTDS group was significantly higher (P<0.05) than that of the other two groups.

Conclusion

The BTDS (a preemptive analgesia regimen) could exert an analgesic effect during the perioperative period for patients who had received hallux valgus surgery, and this effect is beneficial for sustaining postoperative physiological and psychological states and promoting functional rehabilitation.