Researchers evaluated 224 laparoscopic cholecystectomy or open hernia repair patients pre-intervention and 192 patients post-intervention who reported pain postoperatively for seven days. A multimodal intra- and postoperative analgesic bundle was implemented which promoted co-analgesia, reduced opioid prescriptions and patient education. Patients completed a pain inventory postoperatively.
The key details to know:
1. There wasn’t a difference in average postoperative pain scores between the two groups.
2. Pain control quality improved post-intervention, and the median total morphine equivalents filled post-intervention were significantly less.
3. Seventy-eight out of 172 patients in the post-intervention group filled their opioid prescription.
4. There was not a significant difference in prescription renewals between the two groups.
“For outpatient open hernia repair and cholecystectomy, a standardized pain care bundle decreased opioid prescribing significantly and frequently eliminated opioid use, while adequately treating postoperative pain and improving patient satisfaction,” researchers concluded.
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