Responsiveness of multiple patient-reported outcome measures for acute postsurgical pain: primary results from the international multi-centre PROMPT NIT-1 study.

BACKGROUND: Postsurgical outcome measures are crucial to define the efficacy of perioperative pain management; however, it is unclear which are most appropriate. We conducted a prospective study aiming to assess sensitivity-to-change of patient-reported outcome measures assessing the core outcome set of domains pain intensity (at rest/during activity), physical function, adverse events, and self-efficacy. METHODS: Patient-reported outcome measures were assessed preoperatively, on day 1 (d1), d3, and d7 after four surgical procedures (total knee replacement, breast surgery, endometriosis-related surgery, and sternotomy). Primary outcomes were sensitivity-to-change of patient-reported outcome measures analysed by correlating their changes (d1-d3) with patients' global impression of change and patients' specific impression of change items as anchor criteria. Secondary outcomes included identification of baseline and patient characteristic variables explaining variance in change for each of the scales and descriptive analysis of various patient-reported outcome measures from different domains and after different surgeries. RESULTS: Of 3322 patients included (18 hospitals, 10 countries), data from 2661 patients were analysed. All patient-reported outcome measures improved on average over time; the median calculated sensitivity-to-change for all patient-reported outcome measures (overall surgeries) was 0.22 (range: 0.07-0.31, scale: 0-10); all changes were independent of baseline data or patient characteristics and similar between different procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Pain-related patient-reported outcome measures have low to moderate sensitivity-to-change; those showing higher sensitivity-to-change from the same domain should be considered for inclusion in a core outcome set of patient-reported outcome measures to assess the effectiveness and efficacy of perioperative pain management.

Chronic postsurgical pain: A European survey.

BACKGROUND: Chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) is a clinical problem, and large prospective studies are needed to determine its incidence, characteristics, and risk factors. OBJECTIVE: To find predictive factors for CPSP in an international survey. DESIGN: Observational study. SETTING: Multicentre European prospective observational trial. PATIENTS: Patients undergoing breast cancer surgery, sternotomy, endometriosis surgery, or total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHOD: Standardised questionnaires were completed by the patients at 1, 3, and 7 days, and at 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery, with follow-up via E-mail, telephone, or interview. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The primary goal of NIT-1 was to propose a scoring system to predict those patient likely to have CPSP at 6 months after surgery. RESULTS: A total of 3297 patients were included from 18 hospitals across Europe and 2494 patients were followed-up for 6 months. The mean incidence of CPSP at 6 months was 10.5%, with variations depending on the type of surgery: sternotomy 6.9%, breast surgery 7.4%, TKA 12.9%, endometriosis 16.2%. At 6 months, neuropathic characteristics were frequent for all types of surgery: sternotomy 33.3%, breast surgery 67.6%, TKA 42.4%, endometriosis 41.4%. One-third of patients experienced CPSP at both 3 and 6 months. Pre-operative pain was frequent for TKA (leg pain) and endometriosis (abdomen) and its frequency and intensity were reduced after surgery. Severe CPSP and a neuropathic pain component decreased psychological and functional wellbeing as well as quality of life. No overarching CPSP risk factors were identified. CONCLUSION: Unfortunately, our findings do not offer a new CPSP predictive score. However, we present reliable new data on the incidence, characteristics, and consequences of CPSP from a large European survey. Interesting new data on the time course of CPSP, its neuropathic pain component, and CPSP after endometriosis surgery generate new hypotheses but need to be confirmed by further research. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov ID: NCT03834922.

Evolution and characteristics of nocturnal knee pain after knee arthroplasty.

INTRODUCTION: Nocturnal knee pain and sleep disorders are two common but poorly studied issues contributing to dissatisfaction following knee arthroplasty. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence and associated factors of nocturnal pain and sleep disturbance in a population undergoing knee arthroplasty. METHODS: We included in this prospective observational study 111 patients undergoing knee athroplasty (79 TKA and 32 UKA). Sleep quality, nocturnal knee pain (preoperatively, at day 3, at 3 and 6 weeks, at 3 months and one year after surgery), pain during mobilization and neuropathic pain were evaluated by scores. Painkillers and sleeping pills intake were recorded. Potentially predictive factors for postoperative nocturnal pain evolution were studied. RESULTS: Poor sleeping quality rate was 54% for the pre-operative patients and was still 53% at one year after surgery. The prevalence of nocturnal knee pain was 38,74% before surgery and 2,9% at one year after arthroplasty. This study has been performed at the University Hospital Saint Luc Brussels. Evolution and Characteristics of nocturnal knee pain after knee arthroplasty. Nocturnal pain after knee surgery was significantly associated with higher pain scores at rest during activity and at night. Nocturnal pain was significantly associated with a higher PSQI and DN4 scores and a higher consumption of painkillers or sleeping pills at W6. The multiple variable regression showed a statistically significant correlation between preoperative and postoperative nocturnal pain at D3 and W3. Compared to TKA, UKA patients reported significantly less nocturnal pain at W3 and W6. CONCLUSIONS: Bad sleeping quality is present in 54% of knee arthroplasty patients before and after surgery. Nocturnal pain is present in 39% of knee arthroplasty patients before surgery and this drops to 3% after one year. Nocturnal pain is associated with higher pain intensity, neuropathic symptoms, increased medication consumption and poor sleeping quality. Night pain disappeared faster after UKA than TKA, with a tipping point around 6 weeks postoperatively.

Benefits versus harm of intraoperative glucocorticoid for postoperative nausea and vomiting prophylaxis.

Intraoperative use of glucocorticoids is effective for postoperative nausea and vomiting prophylaxis and can also provide early postoperative analgesic effects, but the consequences for chronic post-surgical pain are debatable. In a secondary analysis of the large pragmatic Perioperative Administration of Dexamethasone and Infection trial (n=8478), the primary outcome of pain at the surgical wound at 6 months after surgery was increased in subjects receiving dexamethasone 8 mg i.v. for postoperative nausea and vomiting prophylaxis, a dose not associated with the detrimental effect of surgical site infection in the original study. In contrast, a more detailed assessment of chronic post-surgical pain after exclusion of patients with preoperative pain at the surgical site showed no differences with or without intraoperative dexamethasone regarding chronic post-surgical pain characteristics (intensity and neuropathic features). Because of several confounding factors especially regarding surgical details, these unexpected findings call for more well-designed studies about the potential risk of intraoperative treatments, such as glucocorticoids, on late post-surgical pain.

Pain management after elective craniotomy: A systematic review with procedure-specific postoperative pain management (PROSPECT) recommendations.

BACKGROUND: Pain after craniotomy can be intense and its management is often suboptimal. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the available literature and develop recommendations for optimal pain management after craniotomy. DESIGN: A systematic review using procedure-specific postoperative pain management (PROSPECT) methodology was undertaken. DATA SOURCES: Randomised controlled trials and systematic reviews published in English from 1 January 2010 to 30 June 2021 assessing pain after craniotomy using analgesic, anaesthetic or surgical interventions were identified from MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane Databases. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Each randomised controlled trial (RCT) and systematic review was critically evaluated and included only if met the PROSPECT requirements. Included studies were evaluated for clinically relevant differences in pain scores, use of nonopioid analgesics, such as paracetamol and NSAIDs, and current clinical relevance. RESULTS: Out of 126 eligible studies identified, 53 RCTs and seven systematic review or meta-analyses met the inclusion criteria. Pre-operative and intra-operative interventions that improved postoperative pain were paracetamol, NSAIDs, intravenous dexmedetomidine infusion, regional analgesia techniques, including incision-site infiltration, scalp nerve block and acupuncture. Limited evidence was found for flupirtine, intra-operative magnesium sulphate infusion, intra-operative lidocaine infusion, infiltration adjuvants (hyaluronidase, dexamethasone and α-adrenergic agonist added to local anaesthetic solution). No evidence was found for metamizole, postoperative subcutaneous sumatriptan, pre-operative oral vitamin D, bilateral maxillary block or superficial cervical plexus block. CONCLUSIONS: The analgesic regimen for craniotomy should include paracetamol, NSAIDs, intravenous dexmedetomidine infusion and a regional analgesic technique (either incision-site infiltration or scalp nerve block), with opioids as rescue analgesics. Further RCTs are required to confirm the influence of the recommended analgesic regimen on postoperative pain relief.

Acute pain management and long term outcomes.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The acute inflammatory reaction induced by tissue trauma causes pain but also promotes recovery. Recovery is highly variable among peoples. Effective acute pain (AP) management is very important but remains suboptimal what could affect long term outcomes. The review questions the impact of either failure or effectiveness of AP treatments and the choice of analgesic drugs on different long-term outcomes after tissue trauma. RECENT FINDINGS: Pain control during mobilization is mandatory to reduce the risk of complications which exacerbate and prolong the inflammatory response to trauma, impairing physical recovery. Common analgesic treatments show considerable variability in effectiveness among peoples what argues for an urgent need to develop personalized AP management, that is, finding better responders to common analgesics and targeting challenging patients for more invasive procedures. Optimal multimodal analgesia to spare opioids administration remains a priority as opioids may enhance neuroinflammation, which underlies pain persistence and precipitates neurocognitive decline in frail patients. Finally, recent findings demonstrate that AP treatments which modulate nociceptive and inflammatory pain should be used with caution as drugs which inhibit inflammation like nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs and corticoids might interfere with natural recovery processes. SUMMARY: Effective and safe AP management is of far greater importance than previously realized. Evidence of suboptimal AP management in many patients and recent reports pointing out the impact of current treatments on long term outcomes argue for further research in the field.

Towards better predictive models of chronic post-surgical pain: fitting to the dynamic nature of the pain itself.

Chronic post-surgical pain predictive scores exist, but none has yet demonstrated an impact on patient care. Van Driel and colleagues offer an additional perspective on early postoperative detection of patient at risk of chronic post-surgical pain to enable early interventions in prevention and treatment. The authors derived and validated a model based on four easily obtainable predictors that could help clinicians assess and treat patients at risk. Additional work is needed to prove reliability and clinical benefit of chronic post-surgical pain prediction and intervention.

Evaluation of intraoperative ketamine on the prevention of severe rebound pain upon cessation of peripheral nerve block: a prospective randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Pain after resolution of peripheral nerve block, known as 'rebound pain' (RP), is a major problem in outpatient surgery. The primary objective was to evaluate the benefit of intraoperative ketamine at an anti-hyperalgesic dose on the incidence of rebound pain after upper limb surgery under axillary plexus block in ambulatory patients. The secondary objective was to better understand the rebound pain phenomenon (individual risk factors). METHODS: In this prospective, double-blind study, patients were randomised to receive either a single dose of i.v. ketamine (0.3 mg kg-1) or a placebo. Preoperative mechanical temporal summation and central sensitization inventory were applied to question underlying central sensitisation. Pain catastrophising and Douleur Neuropathique 4 questionnaires were used. Rebound pain was defined as pain intensity score >7 (numeric rating scale, 0-10) after block resolution. Postoperative pain was recorded at Days 1, 4, and 30 after discharge. RESULTS: A total of 109 subjects completed the study, and 40.4% presented with rebound pain. Ketamine administration did not reduce rebound pain incidence or intensity. Temporal summation and central sensitisation inventory scores did not differ between subjects with and without rebound pain. The predictive risk factors were bone surgery (odds ratio [OR]=5.2; confidence interval [CI], 1.9-14.6), severe preoperative pain (OR=4.2; CI, 1.5-11.7), and high pain catastrophising (OR=4.8; CI, 1.0-22.3). At Day 30, the average daily pain was higher in the rebound pain group involving neuropathic characteristics. CONCLUSION: Ketamine at an anti-hyperalgesic dose showed no benefit on rebound pain development. Although central sensitisation might not be involved, preoperative pain intensity, and catastrophising stand as risk factors. Because rebound pain remains frequent despite adequate procedure-specific postoperative analgesia, future studies should focus on patient-specific pain management.

System-level policies on appropriate opioid use, a multi-stakeholder consensus.

BACKGROUND: This consensus statement was developed because there are concerns about the appropriate use of opioids for acute pain management, with opposing views in the literature. Consensus statement on policies for system-level interventions may help inform organisations such as management structures, government agencies and funding bodies. METHODS: We conducted a multi-stakeholder survey using a modified Delphi methodology focusing on policies, at the system level, rather than at the prescriber or patient level. We aimed to provide consensus statements for current developments and priorities for future developments. RESULTS: Twenty-five experts from a variety of fields with experience in acute pain management were invited to join a review panel, of whom 23 completed a modified Delphi survey of policies designed to improve the safety and quality of opioids prescribing for acute pain in the secondary care setting. Strong agreement, defined as consistent among> 75% of panellists, was observed for ten statements. CONCLUSIONS: Using a modified Delphi study, we found agreement among a multidisciplinary panel, including patient representation, on prioritisation of policies for system-level interventions, to improve governance, pain management, patient/consumers care, safety and engagement.

Pain management after total knee arthroplasty: PROcedure SPEcific Postoperative Pain ManagemenT recommendations.

BACKGROUND: The PROSPECT (PROcedure SPEcific Postoperative Pain ManagemenT) Working Group is a global collaboration of surgeons and anaesthesiologists formulating procedure-specific recommendations for pain management after common operations. Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is associated with significant postoperative pain that is difficult to treat. Nevertheless, pain control is essential for rehabilitation and to enhance recovery. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the available literature and develop recommendations for optimal pain management after unilateral primary TKA. DESIGN: A narrative review based on published systematic reviews, using modified PROSPECT methodology. DATA SOURCES: A literature search was performed in EMBASE, MEDLINE, PubMed and Cochrane Databases, between January 2014 and December 2020, for systematic reviews and meta-analyses evaluating analgesic interventions for pain management in patients undergoing TKA. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Each randomised controlled trial (RCT) included in the selected systematic reviews was critically evaluated and included only if met the PROSPECT requirements. Included studies were evaluated for clinically relevant differences in pain scores, use of nonopioid analgesics, such as paracetamol and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and current clinical relevance. RESULTS: A total of 151 systematic reviews were analysed, 106 RCTs met PROSPECT criteria. Paracetamol and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory or cyclo-oxygenase-2-specific inhibitors are recommended. This should be combined with a single shot adductor canal block and peri-articular local infiltration analgesia together with a single intra-operative dose of intravenous dexamethasone. Intrathecal morphine (100 µg) may be considered in hospitalised patients only in rare situations when both adductor canal block and local infiltration analgesia are not possible. Opioids should be reserved as rescue analgesics in the postoperative period. Analgesic interventions that could not be recommended were also identified. CONCLUSION: The present review identified an optimal analgesic regimen for unilateral primary TKA. Future studies to evaluate enhanced recovery programs and specific challenging patient groups are needed.

Procedural Sedation With Dexmedetomidine in Combination With Ketamine in the Emergency Department.

BACKGROUND: Dexmedetomidine is an alternative agent for procedural sedation in the emergency department thanks to its ability to maintain hemodynamic and respiratory stability. Dexmedetomidine must, however, be combined with a powerful analgesic. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to evaluate the quality and safety of procedural sedation using the combination of dexmedetomidine and ketamine for patients undergoing painful procedures in the emergency department. METHODS: This prospective interventional single-center study was conducted in an academic emergency department of an urban hospital in Brussels, Belgium. Patients received a bolus injection of 1 µg/kg dexmedetomidine over 10 min and then a continuous infusion of 0.6 µg/kg/h followed by a bolus of 1 mg/kg ketamine. The painful procedure was carried out 1 min later. The level of pain was evaluated with a numerical rating scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (maximal pain). The level of patient comfort for the procedure was measured using a comfort scale. RESULTS: Thirty patients were included. Overall, 90% of patients felt little or no pain (n = 29 of 30) or discomfort (n = 28 of 30) during the procedure. One patient experienced apnea with desaturation, which was resolved by a jaw-thrust maneuver. Although 23% of patients had significant arterial hypertension, none required drug treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of dexmedetomidine and ketamine provides conscious sedation, bringing comfort and pain relief to patients in optimal conditions for respiratory and hemodynamic safety. However, sedation and recovery times are longer than with conventional drug combinations. The dexmedetomidine-ketamine combination should therefore be recommended for nonurgent procedures and fragile patients.

Use of regional analgesia to prevent the conversion from acute to chronic pain.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Chronic post-surgical pain (CPSP) prevalence has not changed over the past decades what questions the efficacy of preventive strategies. Regional analgesia is used to control acute pain, but preventive effect on CPSP remains debated. Failures and future application of regional analgesia to prevent transition from acute to chronic pain will be discussed. RECENT FINDINGS: After thoracotomy, perioperative regional analgesia does not seem to prevent CPSP. After breast cancer surgery, paravertebral block might prevent CPSP intensity and impact on daily life up to 12 months, particularly in high catastrophizing patients. In knee arthroplasty, perioperative regional analgesia or preoperative genicular nerve neuroablation do not prevent CPSP, although current studies present several bias. The protective role of effective regional analgesia and early pain relief in trauma patients deserves further studies. SUMMARY: Regional analgesia failure to prevent CPSP development should prompt us to reconsider its perioperative utilization. Patients' stratification, for example high-pain responders, might help to target those who will most benefit of regional analgesia. The impact of regional analgesia on secondary pain-related outcomes such as intensity and neuropathic character despite no difference on CPSP incidence requires more studies. Finally, the preventive effect of regional analgesia targeted interventions on CPSP in patients suffering from severe subacute pain deserves to be assessed.

Anaesthetic care of patients undergoing primary hip and knee arthroplasty: consensus recommendations from the International Consensus on Anaesthesia-Related Outcomes after Surgery group (ICAROS) based on a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Evidence-based international expert consensus regarding anaesthetic practice in hip/knee arthroplasty surgery is needed for improved healthcare outcomes. METHODS: The International Consensus on Anaesthesia-Related Outcomes after Surgery group (ICAROS) systematic review, including randomised controlled and observational studies comparing neuraxial to general anaesthesia regarding major complications, including mortality, cardiac, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, renal, genitourinary, thromboembolic, neurological, infectious, and bleeding complications. Medline, PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library including Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, NHS Economic Evaluation Database, from 1946 to May 17, 2018 were queried. Meta-analysis and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach was utilised to assess evidence quality and to develop recommendations. RESULTS: The analysis of 94 studies revealed that neuraxial anaesthesia was associated with lower odds or no difference in virtually all reported complications, except for urinary retention. Excerpt of complications for neuraxial vs general anaesthesia in hip/knee arthroplasty, respectively: mortality odds ratio (OR): 0.67, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.57-0.80/OR: 0.83, 95% CI: 0.60-1.15; pulmonary OR: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.52-0.80/OR: 0.69, 95% CI: 0.58-0.81; acute renal failure OR: 0.69, 95% CI: 0.59-0.81/OR: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.65-0.82; deep venous thrombosis OR: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.42-0.65/OR: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.64-0.93; infections OR: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.67-0.79/OR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.76-0.85; and blood transfusion OR: 0.85, 95% CI: 0.82-0.89/OR: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.82-0.87. CONCLUSIONS: Recommendation: primary neuraxial anaesthesia is preferred for knee arthroplasty, given several positive postoperative outcome benefits; evidence level: low, weak recommendation. RECOMMENDATION: neuraxial anaesthesia is recommended for hip arthroplasty given associated outcome benefits; evidence level: moderate-low, strong recommendation. Based on current evidence, the consensus group recommends neuraxial over general anaesthesia for hip/knee arthroplasty. TRIAL REGISTRY NUMBER: PROSPERO CRD42018099935.

Chronic post-surgical pain after colon surgery in patients included in an enhanced recovery program.

BACKGROUND: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) program improves immediate recovery. Beyond immediate benefits, long-term impact of ERAS implementation is not yet evident. This retrospective single-center cohort study investigates prevalence and characteristics of chronic post-surgical pain (CPSP) in patients who underwent colon surgery. METHODS: Two hundred and ninety-seven patients enrolled prospectively in our ERAS database were contacted by mail to question the presence of CPSP. In case of CPSP, intensity, location, and type of pain, impact of pain on quality of life and treatment taken were assessed. Post-operative pain experience during hospital stay, recall of pain, and discomfort duration when back home were assessed in all patients. Comparison between patients with and without CPSP was made to approach the risk factors of CPSP in this population. RESULTS: At 27 months after colon surgery, 25/198 patients reported CPSP (12.6%) and pain was severe in 5 patients (2.5%). CPSP had a deep abdominal component in 56% of patients and a parietal component in 20% of patients. Patients with CPSP+ differed from patients CPSP- for pre-operative pain presence (56% vs 24.8%, P = 0.004), recalled post-operative pain intensity (4 vs 3, P = 0.045), duration of discomfort after discharge (2 vs 1 weeks, P = 0.035). Pre-operative pain was found as a significant CPSP risk factor (odds ratio 1.34; 95% CI: 1.05-1.70). CONCLUSION: CPSP prevalence after laparoscopic colon surgery seems not much affected by ERAS context. Pre-operative presence of pain emerged as an important risk factor. These findings should be confirmed in a prospective multicenter study.

Comparison of local infiltration analgesia with single injection femoral nerve block in total knee arthroplasty.

The purpose of this study was to compare the analgesic and hemostatic effects of Local Infiltration Analgesia (LIA) with single injection femoral nerve block (SFNB). A database of patients undergoing knee arthroplasty between 2008 and 2013 was analyzed. A group of patients who underwent minimally invasive TKA either with SFNB (n = 112) or with LIA (n = 112) were matched. In the early postoperative period, the LIA group had a significantly lower VAS score, a lower drop in Hb and a lower length of hospital stay. Both the SFNB and LIA techniques provide excellent pain relief following TKA. Nevertheless, LIA reduces pain better in the very early postoperative period by a more complete nerve blockade allowing immediate postoperative mobilization and ambulation leading to a shorter hospital stay. Furthermore, LIA decreases perioperative blood loss by its local hemostatic effect.

Rebound pain after regional anesthesia in the ambulatory patient.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Regional anesthesia is popular in ambulatory setting allowing safe and fast recovery. The problem of 'rebound pain', that is very severe pain when peripheral nerve block (PNB) wears off represents a clinically relevant problem and a cause of increased healthcare resource utilization. This review tries to make the point on a not so rare, unwanted and often neglected side effect of PNB. RECENT FINDINGS: The major finding is the lack of large prospective studies. Incidence of rebound pain is unknown but could reach 40% of patients at PNB resolution. To date, pathophysiological mechanisms remain debated: mechanical and chemical (proinflammatory effect of local anesthetics) nerve insult caused by PNB in predisposed patients (with severe preoperative pain, younger patients). Effective preventive strategies also are missing (e.g. role of analgesic adjuvants in PNB). Long-term consequences in term of functional recovery and persistent pain have not been demonstrated. Interview of patients has underlined the need of information and education about PNB and postoperative analgesia. SUMMARY: Patients' report of excruciating pain and major distress when PNB wears off questions the quality of current anesthesia practice in ambulatory setting. Rebound pain unanswered questions are challenging in the area of perioperative medicine.

Postoperative cesarean pain: real but is it preventable?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Cesarean section is the most common surgical procedure performed in the world. Postoperative pain management remains a challenge, particularly in a context of enhanced recovery after surgery. Several barriers related to the specific condition of 'postpartum recovery' may prevent application of effective analgesia in this population. The present review focuses on novel approaches of cesarean section postoperative pain assessment, beyond pain-rating intensity, including objective patient-centered recovery parameters. Predictive tools currently available to target patients at high risk of acute and chronic pain are also examined. RECENT FINDINGS: Postoperative pain after cesarean section is more severe than reported in the majority of randomized control trials. Pain seriously interferes with early and also late functional recovery, although Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) programmes are being promoted. Pain-rating scores can differ from scores of physical comfort and physical independence, which are priorities for postpartum patients. Further, the value of subjective pain intensity rating to adapt analgesic prescription is misleading and may promote opioid over-prescription. Available tools to predict at-risk patients for severe pain after cesarean section are not easy to use in daily clinical practice and have, at best, moderate predictive value. SUMMARY: Patient and healthcare provider education on reported pain and well tolerated analgesic use is the key to improve postpartum pain management after cesarean section.

Opioid-free anesthesia: a different regard to anesthesia practice.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: In the past two decades, opioids have been prescribed increasingly for the treatment of various chronic pain conditions and during the perioperative period. Perioperative opioid administration is associated with well known adverse effects and recently to long-term use and poor surgical outcomes. In this context, the anesthesiologists have to face their responsibilities. The review discusses the neurophysiological basis of opioid-free anesthesia (OFA), the rational supporting its use in perioperative medicine as well as barriers and future challenges in the field. RECENT FINDINGS: OFA has gained in popularity as a way to enhance early recovery and to spare opioids for the postoperative period. Whether it is possible to deliver safe and stable anesthesia without intraoperative opioids to many patients undergoing various surgical procedures, OFA still raises questions. Accurate monitoring to measure intraoperative nociception and guide the use of adjuvants are not available. There is a need for the development of procedure-specific strategies as well as indications and contraindications to the technique. Finally, objective assessment of OFA use on patient outcomes should be recorded in large multicenter studies. SUMMARY: OFA stands as a new paradigm, which questions anesthesiology practice and might help to rationalize perioperative opioids use.

2p24.1p23.2 deletion and delayed recovery after a general anesthesia for gastrointestinal endoscopic procedure.

Interstitial 2p deletions are very rare and may include proopiomelanocortin (POMC) gene (2p23.3). Our 10-year-old patient, known to carry this genetic anomaly, underwent an endoscopic interventional procedure under general anesthesia. After a sevoflurane induction, alfentanil (8.5 µg·kg-1 ) was given. The procedure lasted 22 min. There was an unexpected delayed recovery likely reflecting an unexpected delayed recovery likely due to opioid hypersensitivity. The deletion of POMC may cause a deficit in endorphin and may lead to an up-regulation of opioid receptors. Exogenous opioids should be used with particular caution in patients suffering a deficit of POMC.