Patient Satisfaction and Pain Control Using an Opioid-Sparing Postoperative Pathway

Abstract

Background: Opioids are overprescribed after surgical procedures, leading to dependence and diversion into the community. This can be mitigated by evidence-based prescribing practices. We investigated the feasibility of an opioid-sparing pain management strategy after surgical procedures.

Study design: Patients undergoing 6 procedures were offered the opportunity to participate in an opioid-sparing pain management pathway. Patients were advised to use acetaminophen and ibuprofen, and were provided with a small "rescue" opioid prescription for breakthrough pain. They were then surveyed postoperatively about opioid use and patient-reported outcomes measures. Overall cohort characteristics and differences between opioid users and non-users were analyzed.

Results: A total of 190 patients were analyzed. Median prescription size was 5 (interquartile range [IQR] 4 to 6) pills and opioid use was 0 (IQR 0 to 4) pills. Fifty-two percent of patients used no opioids after procedures. Median number of leftover pills was 2 (IQR 0 to 5). Median pain score was 1 (IQR 1 to 2) and satisfaction score was 10 (IQR 8 to 10). Almost all (91%) patients agreed that their pain was manageable. Patients who used opioids were younger (52 ± 14 vs 59 ± 13 years; p = 0.001), reported higher pain scores (2 [IQR 1 to 2] vs 1 [1 to 2]; p = 0.014), received larger rescue prescriptions (6 ± 3 vs 4 ± 4 pills; p = 0.003), and were less likely to agree that their pain was manageable (82% vs 98%; p = 0.001). There were no other significant differences between opioid users and non-users.

Conclusions: Patients reported minimal or no opioid use after implementation of an opioid-sparing pathway, and still reported high satisfaction and pain control. These results demonstrate the effectiveness and acceptability of major reduction and even elimination of opioids after discharge from minor surgical procedures.

Copyright © 2019 American College of Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Figures

Figure 1 –

Distribution of opioid use after surgery. Patients who participated in an opioid-sparing postoperative pathway used very little opioid medication after common surgical procedures. Over half (52%) of patients used no opioids, and 98% of patients used 10 pills or fewer.