The impact of intravenous acetaminophen pricing on opioid utilization and outcomes for children with appendicitis.

BACKGROUND: In 2014, the price of intravenous acetaminophen more than doubled. This study determined whether increased intravenous acetaminophen cost was associated with decreased utilization and increased opioid use for children undergoing appendectomy. METHODS: A multicenter retrospective cohort study using the Pediatric Health Information System database between 2011 and 2017 was performed. Healthy children 2 to 18 years undergoing appendectomy at 46 children's hospitals in the United States were identified. Intravenous acetaminophen use, opioid use, and pharmacy costs were assessed. Multivariable mixed-effects modeling was used to determine the association between postoperative opioid use, intravenous acetaminophen use, and postoperative length-of-stay. RESULTS: Overall, 110,019 children undergoing appendectomy were identified, with 22.5% (N = 24,777) receiving intravenous acetaminophen. Despite the 2014 price increase, intravenous acetaminophen use increased from 3% in 2011 to 40.1% in 2017 (P < .001), but at a significantly reduced rate. After 2014, adjusted median pharmacy charges decreased from $3,326.5 (interquartile range: $1,717.5-$6,710.8) to $3,264.1 (interquartile range: $1,782.8-$5,934.7, P < .001) for children who received intravenous acetaminophen. In 94,745 children staying ≥1 day after surgery, postoperative opioid use decreased from 73.6% in 2011 to 58.6% in 2017 (P < .001). Use of intravenous acetaminophen alone compared to opioids alone after surgery resulted in similar predicted mean postoperative length-of-stay. CONCLUSION: In children undergoing appendectomy, intravenous acetaminophen use continued to rise, but at a slower rate after a price increase. Furthermore, adjusted pharmacy charges were lower for children receiving intravenous acetaminophen, possibly secondary to a concurrent decrease in postoperative opioid use. These findings suggest intravenous acetaminophen may be more broadly used regardless of perceived costs to minimize opioid use after surgery.

Single site versus conventional laparoscopic appendectomy: some pain for no gain?

INTRODUCTION: The optimal laparoscopic appendectomy approach is not clear, comparing single site laparoscopic appendectomy (SILA) to conventional 3-port appendectomy (CLA). We investigated outcomes in pediatric patients comparing SILA to CLA: length of operation, length of stay, time to resumption of regular diet, follow up, rehospitalization, and cost. METHODS: Data was collected from children 1 to 18 years with appendectomy at Loma Linda University from 2018 to 2020, operated by two surgeons. Analysis utilized two-sample T, chi-squared, and Fisher's exact tests. RESULTS: Of 173 patients, 77 underwent SILA and 96 had CLA. There was no gender, age, or race difference between groups. Mean WBC was 17.5 × 103/mL in SILA group, compared to 15.3 × 103/mL in CLA group (P = 0.004). Operative time was 47.0 SILA compared to 49.5 minutes CLA (P = 0.269). Of SILA cases, 55.8% were simple appendicitis, while 53.3% of the CLA cases were simple (P = 0.857). Regular diet was resumed after 1.7 days in the SILA group, 1.1 days in CLA (P = 0.018). Length of stay was 2.9 days for SILA, 2.4 days for CLA (P = 0.144). Seven children required hospital readmission, 5 SILA and 2 CLA (P = 0.244). Five of the children who returned had intra-abdominal abscesses, of whom 4 had SILA. There was no difference in cost. CONCLUSIONS: The operative techniques had similar outcomes and operative times. There was a trend toward more intra-abdominal abscesses in the SILA group. Further study and longer follow up is needed to determine if there is an advantage to one laparoscopic approach over another.

Efficacy and safety of acupuncture treatment as an adjunctive therapy after knee replacement: Single-center, pragmatic, randomized, assessor blinded, pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: Total knee replacement (TKR) is a surgical procedure that is being increasingly performed as a result of population aging and the increased average human life expectancy in South Korea. Consistent with the growing number of TKR procedures, the number of patients seeking acupuncture for relief from adverse effects, effective pain management, and the enhancement of rehabilitative therapy effects and bodily function after TKR has also been increasing. Thus, an objective examination of the evidence regarding the safety and efficacy of acupuncture treatments is essential. The aim of this study is to verify the hypothesis that the concurrent use of acupuncture treatment and usual care after TKR is more effective, safe, and cost-effective for the relief of TKR symptoms than usual care therapy alone. METHODS/DESIGN: This is an open-label, parallel, assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial that includes 50 patients with TKR. After screening the patients and receiving informed consent, the patients are divided into two groups (usual care + acupuncture group and usual care group); the patients will then undergo TKR surgery and will be hospitalized for 2 weeks. The patients will receive a total of 8 acupuncture treatments over 2 weeks after surgery and will be followed up at 3, 4, and 12 weeks after the end of the intervention. The primary outcome is assessed using the Korean version of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (K-WOMAC), and the secondary outcome is measured using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), Risk of Fall, and Range of Motion (ROM). Moreover, the cost per quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) is adopted as a primary economic outcome for economic evaluation, and the cost per NRS is adopted as a secondary economic outcome. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This trial has received complete ethical approval from the Ethics Committee of Catholic Kwandong University International St. Mary's Hospital (IS17ENSS0063). We intend to submit the results to a peer-reviewed journal and/or conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03633097.

Opioid Prescribing Patterns Among Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons in the Medicare Population.

Objective: To evaluate opioid prescribing patterns among American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) members in the Medicare population. Methods: Retrospective cohort study of AAFPRS members in the Medicare Part D Prescriber dataset. Results: From 2014 to 2016, there was a significant decrease in the number of days of opioids supplied per beneficiary (5.9 vs. 4.9 days, p < 0.005), as well as the opioid prescription cost per beneficiary ($14.52 vs. $11.79, p = 0.005). The highest prescription rate was found in the Midwest (20.5%) and lowest in the Northeast (14.0%), however, the difference between geographic regions was not significant (p = 0.11). There was a significant decrease in the number of total opioid days supplied per beneficiary in the South (p = 0.001), Midwest (p = 0.05), and West regions (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in opioid prescription rate (p = 0.89) or total opioid days supplied per beneficiary (p = 0.26) when states were stratified by age-adjusted opioid-specific death rate. Conclusion: This study demonstrates a national trend toward fewer opioid days supplied and less opioid cost per Medicare beneficiary among AAFPRS members between 2014 and 2016.

A systematic review and trial sequential analysis of intravenous vs. oral peri-operative paracetamol.

Postoperative pain might be different after intravenous vs. oral paracetamol. We systematically reviewed randomised controlled trials in patients >15 years that compared intravenous with oral paracetamol for postoperative pain. We identified 14 trials with 1695 participants. There was inconclusive evidence for an effect of route of paracetamol administration on postoperative pain at 0-2 h (734 participants), 2-6 h (766 participants), 6-24 h (1115 participants) and >24 h (248 participants), with differences in standardised mean (95%CI) pain scores for intravenous vs. oral of -0.17 (-0.45 to 0.10), -0.09 (-0.24 to 0.06), 0.06 (-0.12 to 0.23) and 0.03 (-0.22 to 0.28), respectively. Trial sequential analyses suggested that a total of 3948 participants would be needed to demonstrate a meaningful difference in pain or its absence at 0-2 h. There were no differences in secondary outcomes. Intravenous paracetamol is more expensive than oral paracetamol. Substitution of oral paracetamol in half the patients given intravenous paracetamol in our hospital would save around £ 38,711 (€ 43,960 or US$ 47,498) per annum.

Persistent Opioid Use After Open Aortic Surgery: Risk Factors, Costs, and Consequences.

BACKGROUND: The incidence and financial impact of persistent opioid use (POU) after open aortic surgery is undefined. METHODS: Insurance claim data from opioid-naïve patients who underwent aortic root replacement, ascending aortic replacement, or transverse arch replacement from 2011 to 2017 were evaluated. POU was defined as filling an opioid prescription in the perioperative period and between 90 and 180 days postoperatively. Postoperative opioid prescriptions, emergency department visits, readmissions, and health care costs were quantified. Multivariable logistic regression identified risk factors for POU, and quantile regression quantified the impact of POU on postoperative health care costs. RESULTS: Among 3240 opioid-naïve patients undergoing open aortic surgery, 169 patients (5.2%) had POU. In the univariate analysis, patients with POU were prescribed more perioperative opioids (375 vs 225 morphine milligram equivalents, P < .001), had more emergency department visits (45.6% vs 25.4%, P < .001), and had significantly higher health care payments in the 6 months postoperatively ($10,947 vs $7223, P < .001). Independent risk factors for POU in the multivariable logistic regression included preoperative nicotine use and more opioids in the first perioperative prescription (all P < .05). After risk adjustment, POU was associated with a $2439 increase in total health care costs in the 6 months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: POU is a challenge after open aortic operations and can have longer-term impacts on health care payments and emergency department visits in the 6 months after surgery. Strategies to reduce outpatient opioid use after aortic surgery should be encouraged when feasible.

The Influence of Opioid Use Disorder on Open Reduction and Internal Fixation Following Ankle Fracture.

BACKGROUND: Ankle fractures are common and may require open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). Literature is scarce evaluating the associations of opioid use disorder (OUD) with ORIF postoperative outcomes. This study investigates whether OUD patients have increased (1) costs of care, (2) emergency room visits, and (3) readmission rates. METHODS: ORIF patients with a 90-day history of OUD were identified using an administrative claims database. OUD patients were matched (1:4) to controls by age, sex, and medical comorbidities. The Welch t-test determined the significance of cost of care. Logistic regression yielded odds ratios (ORs) for emergency room visits and 90-day readmission rates. RESULTS: A total of 2183 patients underwent ORIF (n = 485 with OUD vs n = 1698 without OUD). OUD patients incurred significantly higher costs of care compared with controls ($5921.59 vs $5128.22, P < .0001). OUD patients had a higher incidence and odds of emergency room visits compared with controls (3.50% vs 0.64%; OR = 5.57, 95% CI = 2.59-11.97, P < .0001). The 90-day readmission rates were not significantly different between patients with and without OUD (8.65% vs 7.30%; OR = 1.20, 95% CI = 0.83-1.73, P = .320). CONCLUSION: OUD patients have greater costs of care and odds of emergency room visits within 90 days following ORIF.Levels of Evidence: Level III: Retrospective cohort study.

Financial and Clinical Ramifications of Introducing a Novel Pediatric Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Pathway for Pediatric Complex Hip Reconstructive Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Enhanced recovery after surgery pathways confer significant perioperative benefits to patients and are currently well described for adult patients undergoing a variety of surgical procedures. Robust data to support enhanced recovery pathway use in children are relatively lacking in the medical literature, though clinical benefits are reported in targeted pediatric surgical populations. Surgery for complex hip pathology in the adolescent patient is painful, often requiring prolonged courses of opioid analgesia. Postoperative opioid-related side effects may lead to prolonged recovery periods and suboptimal postoperative physical function. Excessive opioid use in the perioperative period is also a major risk factor for the development of opioid misuse in adolescents. Perioperative opioid reduction strategies in this vulnerable population will help to mitigate this risk. METHODS: A total of 85 adolescents undergoing complex hip reconstructive surgery were enrolled into an enhanced recovery after surgery pathway (October 2015 to December 2018) and were compared with 110 patients undergoing similar procedures in previous years (March 2010 to September 2015). The primary outcome was total perioperative opioid consumption. Secondary outcomes included hospital length of stay, postoperative nausea, intraoperative blood loss, and other perioperative outcomes. Total cost of care and specific charge sectors were also assessed. Segmented regression was used to assess the effects of pathway implementation on outcomes, adjusting for potential confounders, including the preimplementation trend over time. RESULTS: Before pathway implementation, there was a significant downward trend over time in average perioperative opioid consumption (-0.10 mg total morphine equivalents/90 days; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.20 to 0.00) and several secondary perioperative outcomes. However, there was no evidence that pathway implementation by itself significantly altered the prepathway trend in perioperative opioid consumption (ie, the preceding trend continued). For postanesthesia care unit time, the downward trend leveled off significantly (pre: -5.25 min/90 d; 95% CI, -6.13 to -4.36; post: 1.04 min/90 d; 95% CI, -0.47 to 2.56; Change: 6.29; 95% CI, 4.53-8.06). Clinical, laboratory, pharmacy, operating room, and total charges were significantly associated with pathway implementation. There was no evidence that pathway implementation significantly altered the prepathway trend in other secondary outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The impacts of our pediatric enhanced recovery pathway for adolescents undergoing complex hip reconstruction are consistent with the ongoing improvement in perioperative metrics at our institution but are difficult to distinguish from the impacts of other initiatives and evolving practice patterns in a pragmatic setting. The ERAS pathway helped codify and organize this new pattern of care, promoting multidisciplinary evidence-based care patterns and sustaining positive preexisting trends in financial and clinical metrics.

Postoperative Opioid Analgesia Impacts Resource Utilization in Infants Undergoing Pyloromyotomy.

BACKGROUND: Opioid analgesia is often avoided in infants undergoing pyloromyotomy. Previous studies highlight an association between opioid use and prolonged hospitalization after pyloromyotomy. However, the impact of opioid use on healthcare resource utilization and cost is unknown. We hypothesized that use of opioids after pyloromyotomy is associated with increased resource utilization and costs. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted identifying healthy infants aged <6 mo with a diagnosis of pyloric stenosis who underwent pyloromyotomy from 2005 to 2015 among 47 children's hospitals using the Pediatric Health Information System database. Time of opioid exposure was categorized as day of surgery (DOS) alone, postoperative use alone, or combined DOS and postoperative use. Primary outcomes were the standardized unit cost, a proxy for resource utilization, billed charges to the patient/insurer, and hospital costs. A multivariable log-linear mixed-effects model was used to adjust for patient and hospital level factors. RESULTS: Overall, 11,008 infants underwent pyloromyotomy with 2842 (26%) receiving perioperative opioids. Most opioid use was confined to the DOS alone (n = 2,158, 19.6%). Infants who received opioids on DOS and postoperatively exhibited 13% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 7%-20%, P-value <0.001) higher total resource utilization compared with infants who did not receive any opioids. Billed charges were 3% higher (95% CI: 0%-5%, P-value = 0.034) for infants receiving opioids isolated to the postoperative period alone and 6% higher (95% CI: 2%-11%, P-value = 0.004) for infants receiving opioids on the DOS and postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative opioid use among infants who underwent pyloromyotomy was associated with increased resource utilization and costs.

Persistent postoperative pain and healthcare costs associated with instrumented and non-instrumented spinal surgery: a case-control study.

PURPOSE: To compare rates of persistent postoperative pain (PPP) after lumbar spine surgery-commonly known as Failed Back Surgery Syndrome-and healthcare costs for instrumented lumbar spinal fusion versus decompression/discectomy. METHODS: The UK population-based healthcare data from the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) database from NHS Digital and the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) were queried to identify patients with PPP following lumbar spinal surgery. Rates of PPP were calculated by type of surgery (instrumented and non-instrumented). Total healthcare costs associated with the surgery and covering the 24-month period after index hospital discharge were estimated using standard methods for classifying health care encounters into major categories of health care resource utilization (i.e., inpatient hospital stays, outpatient clinic visits, accident and emergency attendances, primary care encounters, and medications prescribed in primary care) and applying the appropriate unit costs (expressed in 2013 GBP). RESULTS: Increasing the complexity of surgery with instrumentation was not associated with an increased rate of PPP. However, 2-year healthcare costs following discharge after surgery are significantly higher among patients who underwent instrumented surgery compared with decompression/discectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Although there is a not insubstantial risk of ongoing pain following spine surgery, with 1-in-5 patients experiencing PPP within 2 years of surgery, the underlying indications for surgical modality and related choice of surgical procedure do not, by itself, appear to be a driving factor.

The Effect of Erector Spinae Plane Block on Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Anesthesia: Analysis of Opioid Consumption, Sevoflurane Consumption, and Cost.

Background: Erector spinae plane (ESP) block has been increasingly suggested for laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) as a part of multimodal analgesia in many studies. However, there is not any study that investigated the perioperative effects of ESP block on anesthetic agent consumption and cost of LC anesthesia. This is the first study that evaluates the effect of ESP block in terms of cost-effectiveness, intraoperative consumption of inhalation agents, and perioperative consumption of opioids. Materials and Methods: In this prospective observational study, 81 patients who underwent LC were included. Patients were divided into two groups: In Group ESP (n = 39) bilateral ultrasound-guided ESP block was performed in preoperative period and in Group non-ESP (n = 42) ESP block was not performed. After standard general anesthesia protocol, anesthesia was maintained with 2% sevoflurane in 50% air and 50% oxygen with controlled ventilation in both groups. All patients were monitored with electrocardiography, noninvasive blood pressure, pulse oximetry, end-tidal carbon dioxide, and bispectral index. The consumption of sevoflurane and opioids in the intraoperative and postoperative 24 hours was recorded. The costs of drugs were determined by multiplying total consumed amounts with unit prices. Results: The costs and the consumed amounts of remifentanyl, sevoflurane, and tramadol were significantly higher in non-ESP group in the perioperative period (respectively, P < .001, P = .01, and P < .001). Conclusions: ESP block for LC decreased the consumed amount and cost of inhaled agents and opioids in the perioperative period.

Rapid recovery following hip and knee arthroplasty using local infiltration analgesia: length of stay, rehabilitation protocol and cost savings.

BACKGROUND: We implemented local infiltration analgesia (LIA) as a technique of providing post-operative pain management and early mobilization after arthroplasty surgery and have progressively found patients able to go home earlier. This study compares the national data on hip and knee arthroplasty provided by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and Medibank Private with our outcomes using LIA and rapid recovery. METHODS: Prospective study of one surgeon including 200 knees, and 165 hips in the two years till June 2016. Variables included in comparison to the two groups were: length of stay, percentage of patients transferred to rehabilitation or intensive care unit (ICU), readmitted within 30 days and average separation cost. RESULTS: Hip replacement median length of stay in our series was two nights versus five nights, inpatient rehabilitation 7% versus 36%, ICU admission zero versus 4%, and readmissions 3.9% versus 6.0%, the average hospital separation cost in our series was $17 813 versus $26 734. Knee replacement median length of stay in our study was one night versus five nights, ICU 0.5% versus 3%, rehabilitation 4.5% versus 43%, and readmission 6% versus 7%, the average hospital separation cost in our group was $16 437 versus $27 505. CONCLUSION: The comprehensive approach of LIA and rapid recovery enables patients to have shorter hospitalization, lower rehabilitation incidence and a resultant reduction in health expenditure.

Study of Peri-Articular Anaesthetic for Replacement of the Knee (SPAARK): study protocol for a patient-blinded, randomised controlled superiority trial of liposomal bupivacaine.

BACKGROUND: Optimising the management of peri-operative pain and recovery following knee replacement has been identified as a patient priority. Current pain relief strategies use opiate-based analgesia; however, up to 50% of patients experience significant side effects. Local anaesthetic incisional infiltration is one alternative. The length of the duration of action is a major limiting factor of current local anaesthetic techniques. Liposomal bupivacaine has been reported to be effective for up to 72 h. This randomised controlled trial will evaluate the clinical and cost effectiveness of liposomal bupivacaine. METHODS: SPAARK is a patient-blinded, multi-centre, active comparator, superiority, two-arm, parallel-group randomised controlled trial. Five hundred patients undergoing knee replacement will be recruited and randomised to liposomal bupivacaine plus bupivacaine hydrochloride or bupivacaine hydrochloride alone. The co-primary outcomes are the Quality of Recovery 40 measured at 72 h post-surgery and also cumulative pain measured daily using a 0-10 visual analogue scale for the first 3 days following surgery. Secondary outcomes include cumulative opioid consumption, fitness for discharge, functional outcomes assessed using the Oxford Knee Score and American Knee Society Score, the EuroQol five dimensions instrument and complications. A cost utility analysis is also planned. DISCUSSION: The clinical effectiveness and cost effectiveness of liposomal bupivacaine have yet to be evaluated in the National Health Service, making this trial appropriate and timely. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN54191675. Registered on 14 November 2017.

Medicaid and Medicare payer status are associated with worse surgical outcomes in gynecologic oncology.

OBJECTIVE: To compare postoperative outcomes by primary payer status for patients with gynecologic malignancies. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent elective surgery for gynecologic malignancies between 2015 and 2019. Patient outcomes were compared by payer status using logistic regression. Sociodemographic and clinical covariates were selected a priori and included age, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification, body mass index, smoking status, malignancy site, surgery type, race, estimated income, marital status, and medical interpreter requirement. RESULTS: A total of 1894 patients comprised the study sample. In the multivariate model, compared to patients with private insurance, Medicaid and Medicare patients were more likely to mobilize >24 h after surgery (OR 1.9, p < 0.05 and OR 3.2, p < 0.001, respectively), to require ICU admission (OR 4.0, p < 0.05 and OR 5.0, p < 0.05, respectively), and to have longer lengths of stay (OR 1.8, p < 0.05 and OR 2.2, p < 0.001, respectively). Medicaid patients were also more likely to have higher total hospital costs (OR 1.7, p < 0.05). Payer status was not associated with postoperative pain, postoperative opiate use, or 30-day readmission rates. CONCLUSIONS: Medicaid and Medicare payer status are associated with worse postoperative outcomes in patients with gynecologic malignancies. The poor outcomes of Medicaid patients - a cohort defined by limited income - are noteworthy. The etiology is likely multifactorial, arising from a complex interplay of factors ranging from system issues such as access to care to the unique health status of a population bearing a high burden of disease and socioeconomic adversity.

Does an enhanced recovery after surgery protocol change costs and outcomes of single-level lumbar microdiscectomy?

OBJECTIVEEnhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) is a multimodal approach that aims to improve perioperative surgical outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the benefits of ERAS in terms of cost-effectiveness and postoperative outcomes in single-level lumbar microdiscectomy.METHODSThis study was a single-center retrospective comparing costs and outcomes before and after implementation of the ERAS pathway. Data were collected from the electronic medical records of patients who had undergone single-level lumbar microdiscectomy during 2 time periods-during the 2 years preceding implementation of the ERAS pathway (pre-ERAS group) and after implementation of the ERAS pathway (ERAS group). Each group consisted of 60 patients with an American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Physical Status Classification of class 1. Patients were excluded if their physical status was classified as ASA class II-V or if they were younger than 18 years or older than 65.Groups were compared in terms of age, sex, body mass index (BMI), perioperative hemodynamics, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative fluid administration, intraoperative opioid administration, time to first oral intake, time to first mobilization, postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), difference between preoperative and postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) scores, postoperative analgesic requirements, length of hospital stay, and cost of anesthesia.RESULTSThe ERAS and pre-ERAS groups were comparable with respect to age, sex, and BMI. Operation time, intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative opioid administration, and intraoperative fluid administration were all less in the ERAS group. First oral intake and first mobilization were earlier in the ERAS group. The incidence of PONV was less in the ERAS group. Postoperative analgesic requirements and postoperative VAS scores were significantly less in the ERAS group. The length of hospital stay was found to be shorter in the ERAS group. The ERAS approach was found to be cost-effective.CONCLUSIONSERAS had clinical and economic benefits and is associated with improved outcomes in lumbar microdiscectomy.

Effects of Anesthesia Protocol on Perioperative Outcomes and Costs of Lumbar Microdiscectomies.

AIM: To compare the effects of spinal anesthesia (SA) and general anesthesia (GA) in lumbar microdiscectomy in terms of their costeffectiveness, and perioperative outcomes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We randomly allocated 100 consecutive patients who were scheduled to undergo elective lumbar microdiscectomy, into either SA or GA groups. We recorded and evaluated various parameters, including demographic aspects, body mass index (BMI), perioperative hemodynamics, time elapsed from operating room (OR) entry until incision, operative time, time elapsed from application of the surgical dressing to exiting OR, blood loss, post anesthetic care unit (PACU) time, preoperative and postoperative pain scores, postoperative analgesic requirements, first mobilization time, first oral intake, the length of hospital stay, time to return to work, and perioperative anesthetic costs. The patients, anesthesiologists, and neurosurgeons were handed a questionnaire before discharge to determine their satisfaction with the procedure. RESULTS: Several variables were found to be better in the SA group: the mean arterial pressure and heart rate changes were significantly lower, and the time elapsed from OR entry until incision, operative time, time elapsed from application of the surgical dressing to exiting OR, PACU time, the length of hospital stay, and time to return to work were shorter; furthermore, the postoperative pain scores, the analgesic requirements, the intraoperative blood loss, and the cost of anesthesia were all lower. Moreover the first mobilization and oral intake occurred earlier; and most significantly, the satisfaction of the patients and surgeons was higher in the SA group. Furthermore, we encountered no complications. CONCLUSION: Based on our results, we conclude that SA is reliable and clinically successful procedure in lumbar microdiscectomy.

Intra-operative low-dose ketamine does not reduce the cost of post-operative pain management after surgery: a randomized controlled trial in a low-income country.

BACKGROUND: In developing countries, post-operative pain remains underestimated and undertreated due to economic constraints, lack of awareness and limited resources. In contrast, ketamine is an effective, readily available, easy to use and inexpensive drug frequently used in poor settings. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to explore the overall reduction in the medication treatment cost of acute post-operative pain by adding intra-operative low-dose ketamine to traditional intravenous morphine for surgery in a low-income country. METHODS: A double blind randomized controlled trial with placebo-controlled parallel group was performed in Mulago National Hospital (Uganda). Consenting adults scheduled for elective surgery were randomized into two study arms: Group K received ketamine 0.15mg/kg bolus at induction and a continuous infusion of 0.12 mg/kg/hour till start of skin closure; Group C (control) received normal saline. Both groups received Morphine 0.1 mg/kg IV at debulking. The total medication cost was registered. NRS pain scores and other measurements such vital signs and incidence of major and minor side effects were also recorded. RESULTS: A total of 46 patients were included. Patients' baseline characteristics were comparable in both groups. No statistically significant difference was found between the groups concerning the overall medication cost of post-operative pain management. Pain scores, patients' satisfaction in the first 24 hours after surgery and hospital length of stay were similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: Our results do not support the utilization of intra-operative low dose ketamine as a cost-saving post-operative pain treatment strategy for all types of surgery in low-resource settings.

Administration of Oral Acetaminophen to Reduce Costs for the Hysterectomy Patient at a Community Hospital.

PURPOSE: This quality improvement project aimed to change the practice of administration route of acetaminophen from intravenous (IV) to oral to patients having a hysterectomy at a community hospital, reduce costs, and maintain postanesthesia care unit pain scores for patients who receive oral acetaminophen comparable to those who receive IV acetaminophen. DESIGN: There were 46 participants: 23 in the preintervention group and 23 in the postintervention group. METHODS: Data retrieved from the electronic medical record included the route of acetaminophen administered, cost, and pain scores. FINDINGS: Implementation of this quality improvement project resulted in no difference in the pain scores between the preintervention and postintervention groups (P = .637). In addition, the hospital cost for acetaminophen decreased 95.25% and patients saved $6,683 during the 3-month implementation period. CONCLUSIONS: The administration of oral acetaminophen provided equivalent postoperative analgesia compared with IV acetaminophen and reduced costs for both the hospital and patients.

Prevalence and Cost Analysis of Chronic Pain After Hernia Repair: A Potential Alternative Approach With Neurostimulation.

OBJECTIVES: Chronic pain (CP) affects a significant number of patients following hernia repair, ranging from 11 to 54% in the literature. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence, overall costs, and health care utilization associated with CP after hernia repair. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective longitudinal study was performed using the Truven MarketScan® data base to identify patients who develop chronic neuropathic posthernia repair pain from 2001 to 2012. Patients were grouped into CP and No Chronic Pain (No CP) cohorts. Patients were excluded if they 1) were under 18 years of age; 2) had a previous pain diagnosis; 3) had CP diagnosed <90 days after the index hernia repair; 4) had less than one year of follow-up; or 5) had less than one-year baseline record before hernia repair. Patients were grouped into the CP cohort if their CP diagnosis was made within the two years following index hernia repair. Total, outpatient, and pain prescription costs were collected in the period of five years prehernia to nine years posthernia repair. A longitudinal multivariate analysis was used to model the effects of chronic neuropathic posthernia repair pain on total inpatient/outpatient and pain prescription costs. RESULTS: We identified 76,173 patients who underwent hernia repair and met inclusion criteria (CP: n = 14,919, No CP: n = 61,254). There was a trend for increased total inpatient/outpatient and pain prescription costs one-year posthernia repair, when compared to baseline costs for both cohorts. In both cohorts, total inpatient/outpatient costs remained elevated from baseline through nine years posthernia repair, with the CP cohort experiencing significantly higher cumulative median costs (CP: $51,334, No CP: $37,388). The CP diagnosis year was associated with a 1.75-fold increase (p < 0.001) in total inpatient/outpatient costs and a 2.26-fold increase (p < 0.001) in pain prescription costs versus all other years. In the longitudinal analysis, the CP cohort had a 1.14-fold increase (p < 0.001) in total inpatient/outpatient costs and 2.00-fold increase (p < 0.001) in pain prescription costs. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates the prevalence of CP after hernia surgery to be nearly 20%, with significantly increased costs and healthcare resource utilization. While current treatment paradigms are effective for many, there remains a large number of patients that could benefit from an overall approach that includes nonopioid treatments, such as potentially incorporating neurostimulation, for CP that presents posthernia repair.

Late Shoulder-Arm Morbidity Using Ultrasound Scalpel in Axillary Dissection for Breast Cancer: A Retrospective Analysis.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to assess whether the use of the harmonic scalpel (HS) in axillary dissection would reduce long-term shoulder-arm morbidity compared to traditional instruments (TIs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis on 180 patients who underwent standard axillary dissection for breast cancer between 2007 and 2015 was carried out. All patients were evaluated for postoperative pain, impairment of shoulder-arm mobility, seroma formation in axilla, frozen shoulder, and lymphedema. RESULTS: HS procedure on average was 50% shorter compared to the TI technique. HS reduced by 4.5 times the risk of axillary seroma. TIs were associated with 4 times higher risk of developing a painful frozen shoulder. CONCLUSIONS: Use of the HS was associated with reduced costs and a positive long-term effect on shoulder-arm morbidity. Axillary seromas are not the only reason of later postoperative shoulder-arm morbidity: other mechanisms are hypothesized in the onset of this very disabling disorder.