Multimodal Pain Control Utilizing Buprenorphine for Robotic-assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy: A Quality Improvement Comparison to Conventional Opioid Management.

INTRODUCTION: This study investigated the effectiveness of buprenorphine as an alternative to the use of conventional opioids perioperatively in an effort to help mitigate the impact of the use of perioperative conventional opioids for patients undergoing robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy. METHODS: Outcomes of patients with localized prostate cancer undergoing robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy were examined before and after implementation of novel quality improvement study that included receiving buprenorphine compared to conventional opioids for pain control intraoperatively and postoperatively. The primary end point was adequate pain control with secondary end points being analgesic consumption at home, opioid-related side effects, and patient satisfaction. RESULTS: When analyzing the secondary end point of oral morphine milligram equivalents, the buprenorphine group received significantly less morphine milligram equivalent compared to the conventional opioid group (15.19 vs 47.91, P = .006). The buprenorphine group also had lower reported pain scores at discharge (4.3; scale 1-10) compared to the conventional opioid group (5.4), though this did not reach significance (P = .069). In the buprenorphine group, 76.9% strongly agreed that their pain was adequately controlled in the hospital compared to 57.5% of the conventional opioid group (P = .223). There was no difference in overall satisfaction at postoperative day 5 (P = .358). CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates buprenorphine's analgesic capabilities to maintain adequate pain control and patient satisfaction compared to conventional opioids during robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy, while decreasing perioperative opioid use.

Safety and effectiveness of large volume coils in the treatment of small aneurysms.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Large volume soft design coils facilitate quicker aneurysm filling and high packing density. Our purpose was to analyze the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of the Penumbra Coil 400 (PC400) system in the treatment of small aneurysms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of prospective data collected at three different centers was performed on consecutive aneurysms <10 mm treated with the PC400 system. A total of 92 aneurysms were included in the study. Feasibility, procedure safety, angiographic and clinical results, and follow-up results were evaluated. RESULTS: Mean aneurysm size was 5.8±2.0 mm. An average of 2.5±1.3 coils with a mean length of 18±16 cm per aneurysm was used, resulting in a mean packing density of 45.6±14.4%. The thromboembolic event rate was 3.3% and no procedural aneurysm rupture was observed. Immediate adequate occlusion was achieved in 66% of aneurysms. During a mean follow-up period of 7.4 months the number of adequate occlusions increased to 91%. CONCLUSIONS: Large volume PC 400 coils are safe and effective in the treatment of small aneurysms with a low thromboembolic complication rate and no hemorrhagic events. High packing densities are achieved with a low average number of coils used per aneurysm treated. The aneurysms demonstrated progressive occlusion over time, which probably suggests stability in the long term.