Trends in minimally invasive and open inguinal hernia repair: an analysis of ACGME general surgery case logs.

BACKGROUND: Groin hernia repair is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures and is often performed by surgical interns and junior residents. While traditionally performed open, minimally invasive (MIS) groin hernia repair has become an increasingly popular approach. The purpose of this study was to determine the trends in MIS and open inguinal and femoral hernia repair in general surgery residency training over the past two decades. METHODS: Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) national case log data of general surgery residents from 1999 through 2022 were reviewed. We collected means and standard deviations of open and MIS inguinal and femoral hernia repairs. Linear regression and ANOVA were used to identify trends in the average annual number of open and MIS hernia repairs logged by residents. Cases were distinguished between level of resident trainees: surgeon-chief (SC) and surgeon-junior (SJ). RESULTS: From July 1999 to June 2022, the average annual MIS inguinal and femoral hernia repairs logged by general surgery residents significantly increased, from 7.6 to 47.9 cases (p < 0.001), and the average annual open inguinal and femoral hernia repairs logged by general surgery residents significantly decreased, from 51.9 to 39.7 cases (p < 0.001). SJ resident results were consistent with this overall trend. For SC residents, the volume of both MIS and open hernia repairs significantly increased (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: ACGME case log data indicates a trend of general surgery residents logging overall fewer numbers of open inguinal and femoral hernia repairs, and a larger proportion of open repairs by chief residents. This trend warrants attention and further study as it may represent a skill or knowledge gap with significant impact of surgical training.

Trends in gastric surgery operative experience among general surgery residents in the United States: A nationwide retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND: Gastric surgery is a crucial component of general surgery training. However, there is a paucity of high-quality data on operative volume and the diversity of surgical procedures that general surgery residents are exposed to. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of operative case logs of all general surgery residents graduating from the American College of Graduate Medical Education-accredited program from 2009 to 2022. Data on the mean number of gastric procedures, including the mean in each subcategory, were retrieved. A Mann-Kendall trend test was used to investigate trends in operative volume. RESULTS: Between 2009 and 2022, the mean overall logged gastric procedures rose significantly (τ = 0.722, P < .001) from 36.2 in 2009 to 49.2 in 2022 (35.9% increase). The most substantial growth was seen in laparoscopic gastric reduction for morbid obesity (mean 1.9 in 2017 to 19 in 2022; τ = 0.670, P = .009). A statistically significant increase was also seen in laparoscopic partial gastric resections, repair of gastric perforation, and "other major stomach procedures" (P < .05 for all comparisons). Open gastrostomy, open partial gastric resections, and open vagotomy all significantly decreased (P < .05 for all comparisons). There was no significant change in the volume of laparoscopic gastrectomy, total gastric resections, and non-laparoscopic gastric reductions for morbid obesity (P > .05 for all comparisons). CONCLUSION: There has been a substantial increase in the volume of gastric surgery during residency over the past 14 years, driven mainly by an increase in laparoscopic gastric reduction. However, there may still be a need for further gastric surgical training to ensure well-rounded general surgeons.

Trends in bariatric surgery training: bariatric operations performed by Fellowship Council trainees from 2012 to 2019.

BACKGROUND: The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) Fellowship Certificate was created to ensure satisfactory training and requires a minimum number of anastomotic cases. With laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy becoming the most common bariatric procedure in the United States, this may present a challenge for fellows to obtain adequate numbers for ASMBS certification. OBJECTIVES: To investigate bariatric fellowship trends from 2012 to 2019, the types, numbers, and approaches of surgical procedures performed by fellows were examined. SETTING: Academic training centers in the United States. METHODS: Data were obtained from Fellowship Council records of all cases performed by fellows in ASMBS-accredited bariatric surgery training programs between 2012 and 2019. A retrospective analysis using standard descriptive statistical methods was performed to investigate trends in total case volume and cases per fellow for common bariatric procedures. RESULTS: From 2012 to 2019, sleeve gastrectomy cases performed by all Fellowship Council fellows nearly doubled from 6,514 to 12,398, compared with a slight increase for gastric bypass, from 8,486 to 9,204. Looking specifically at bariatric fellowships, the mean number of gastric bypass cases per fellow dropped over time, from 91.1 cases (SD = 46.8) in 2012-2013 to 52.6 (SD = 62.1) in 2018-2019. Mean sleeve gastrectomy cases per fellow increased from 54.7 (SD = 31.5) in 2012-2013 to a peak of 98.6 (SD = 64.3) in 2015-2016. Robotic gastric bypasses also increased from 4% of all cases performed in 2012-2013 to 13.3% in 2018-2019. CONCLUSIONS: Bariatric fellowship training has seen a decrease in gastric bypasses, an increase in sleeve gastrectomies, and an increase in robotic surgery completed by each fellow from 2012 to 2019.

Triple neurectomía transperitoneal laparoscópica y con asistencia robótica para el tratamiento del dolor inguinal crónico: descripción de la técnica, nuestra experiencia y resultados preliminares / Robot-assisted laparoscopic triple neurectomy for chronic inguinal pain: Description of the technique, our experience and preliminary results

Introducción. El dolor inguinal crónico o inguinodinia posthernioplastia es una complicación relativamente común y que puede llegar a ser muy incapacitante. El tratamiento quirúrgico mediante triple neurectomía es una opción terapéutica ante el fracaso de tratamientos previos (terapia oral, local o neuromodulación).ObjetivoDescripción retrospectiva de la técnica quirúrgica y resultados de la triple neurectomía laparoscópica y con asistencia robótica en el tratamiento de la inguinodinia crónica.Material y métodosSe describen los criterios de inclusión/exclusión, así como la técnica quirúrgica empleada en 7 pacientes intervenidos en el Complejo Asistencial Universitario de León (Servicio de Urología) tras no responder a otras alternativas terapéuticas.ResultadosLos pacientes presentaban dolor crónico inguinal reportando una valoración en la escala EVA del dolor prequirúrgica de 7,43 sobre 10. Tras la cirugía, dicha valoración se redujo a 3,71 al primer día postoperatorio y a 4,2 puntos al año de la intervención. El alta hospitalaria se produjo a las 24h de la cirugía y no se reportaron complicaciones relevantes.ConclusionesLa triple neurectomía laparoscópica o con asistencia robótica es una técnica segura, reproducible y eficaz en el tratamiento del dolor inguinal crónico refractario a otros tratamientos. (AU)

Introduction. Chronic inguinal pain or inguinodynia following hernioplasty is a relatively common complication that can be very incapacitating. Surgical treatment by triple neurectomy is a therapeutic option when previous treatments (oral/local therapy or neuromodulation) have failed.ObjectiveRetrospective description of the surgical technique and results of laparoscopic and robot-assisted triple neurectomy for chronic inguinodynia.Material and methodsWe describe the inclusion/exclusion criteria as well as the surgical technique applied in 7 patients operated on at the University Health Care Complex of León (Urology Department) after failure of other treatment options.ResultsThe patients presented chronic groin pain, reporting a preoperative pain VAS of 7.43 out of 10. After surgery, this score was reduced to 3.71 on the first postoperative day and to 4.2 points one year after surgery. Hospital discharge occurred 24hours after surgery with no relevant complications being reported.ConclusionsLaparoscopic or robot-assisted triple neurectomy is a safe, reproducible, and effective technique for the treatment of chronic groin pain refractory to other treatments. (AU)

A New Laparoscopic Entry Point in Patients With Previous Laparotomy: A Prospective Comparative Study.

INTRODUCTION: Intraperitoneal access and establishing pneumoperitoneum for laparoscopy is a critical step especially in patients who underwent previous laparotomy due to the higher risk of visceral or vascular injuries. In this study, we propose a new entry point for safe laparoscopic access in cases having previous laparotomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a prospective controlled randomized trial conducted between January 2016 and January 2022 in Ain Shams University Hospitals. It included 232 patients who underwent laparoscopic procedures after previous laparotomy. They were randomly divided into 2 equal groups. In group 1, laparoscopic access was carried out by an optical trocar through the new point situated in the subxiphoid region 1 cm below the costal margin and centered 2.5 cm from the midline on either side. In group 2, laparoscopic access was performed by an optical subumbilical trocar after Verres needle insufflation in Palmer point. The primary end points were success and safety of entry, measured by the number of entry attempts and the incidence of bowel and vascular injuries. The secondary end point was the entry time. RESULTS: In group 1, safe entry into the abdomen was achieved without visceral or vascular injury. In the 3 cases, minor liver injuries occurred. In group 2, 2 major vascular injuries and 5 bowel injuries occurred. There was a significant difference in procedure time (55±7.2 s in group 1 vs. 192±11.6 s in group 2). CONCLUSION: The suggested entry point is fast, safe, and reliable in patients having previous laparotomy.

Perspectives of Gynecologic Oncologists on Minimally Invasive Surgery During COVID-19 Pandemic: A Turkish Society of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Oncology (MIJOD) Survey.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate gynecologic oncologists' trends and attitudes towards the use of Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) in active period of the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey. METHODS: Online national survey sent to members of Turkish Endoscopy Platform consisting of six sections and 45 questions between the dates 1-15 June 2020 in Turkey to explore their surgical practice during the pandemic in three hospital types: Education and research hospital/university hospital, state hospital and private Hospital. Participants were gynecologic oncologists who are members of Turkish Endoscopy Platform. RESULTS: Fifty-eight percent of participants canceled all operations except for cancer surgeries and emergent operations. About a quarter of participants (28%) continued to operate laparoscopically and/or robotically. For the evaluation of the suspected adnexial mass (SAM) 64% used laparotomy and only 13 % operated by laparoscopy (L/S). For the management of low-risk early-stage endometrial cancer only fifth of the participants preferred to perform L/S. For endometrial cancer with high-intermediate risk factors more than half of participants preferred complete staging with laparotomy. For advanced stage ovarian cancer, one-fifth of the participants preferred to perform an explorative laparotomy, whilst 15 % preferred diagnostic laparoscopy to triage the patients for either NACT or cytoreductive surgery. On the contrary 41 % of participants chose to have cytology by paracentesis for neo-adjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). Gynecologic oncologists with >10 years L/S experience used MIS more for SAM. Furthermore, experienced surgeons used L/S more for endometrial cancer patients. In busy COVID hospitals, more participants preferred laparotomy over L/S. CONCLUSION: Use of MIS decreased during the pandemic in Turkey. More experienced surgeons continued to perform MIS. Surgical treatment was the preferred approach for SAM, early-stage endometrial cancer.  However, NACT was more popular compared to radical surgery.

The impact of operative approach on postoperative outcomes and healthcare utilization after colectomy.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate national trends in adoption of different surgical approaches for colectomy and compare clinical outcomes and resource utilization between approaches. METHODS: Retrospective study of patients aged ≥18 years who underwent elective inpatient left or right colectomy between 2010 and 2019 from the Premier Healthcare Database. Patients were classified by operative approach: open, minimally invasive: either laparoscopic or robotic. Postoperative outcomes assessed within index hospitalization include operating room time, hospital length of stay, rates of conversion to open surgery, reoperation, and complications. Post-discharge readmission, hospital-based encounters, and costs were collected to 30 days post-discharge. Multivariable regression models were used to compare outcomes between operative approaches adjusted for patient baseline characteristics and clustering within hospitals. RESULTS: Among 206,967 patients, the robotic approach rates increased from 2.1%/1.6% (2010) to 32.6%/26.8% (2019) for left/right colectomy, offset by a decrease in both open and laparoscopic approaches. Median length of stay for both left and right colectomies was significantly longer in open (6 days) and laparoscopic (5 days) compared to robotic surgery (4 days; all P values <.001). Robotic surgery compared to open and laparoscopic was associated with a significantly lower conversion rate, development of ileus, overall complications, and 30-day hospital encounters. Robotic surgery further demonstrated lower mortality, reoperations, postoperative bleeding, and readmission rates for left and right colectomies than open. Robotic surgery had significantly longer operating room times and higher costs than either open or laparoscopic. CONCLUSIONS: Robotic surgery is increasingly being used in colon surgery, with outcomes equivalent and in some domains superior to laparoscopic.

Impacto de la pandemia por COVID-19 en la población pediátrica con apendicitis aguda: experiencia en un hospital general de tercer nivel / Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the pediatric population with acute appendicitis: Experience at a general, tertiary care hospital

Introducción. La apendicitis constituye la principal causa de abdomen agudo quirúrgico en pediatría. Durante la pandemia por COVID-19, se replantearon las estrategias de manejo ydisminuyeron las consultas en las guardias, lo que podría asociarse a diagnósticos tardíos y complicaciones. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar el impacto de la pandemia en los niños con apendicitis aguda. Métodos. Estudio analítico retrospectivocomparativo de pacientes pediátricos conapendicitis aguda durante los cinco meses del confinamiento por COVID-19 versus los meses equivalentes del año previo. Se analizaron la incidencia, la clínica, el estadio, el abordajequirúrgico y las complicaciones. Resultados. Los casos totales de apendicitisse redujeron un 25 % (n = 67 versus n = 50 en 2020). El tiempo medio hasta la consulta fue de 24 horas en ambos períodos (p = 0,989). La incidencia de peritonitis fue del 44 % (n = 22) versus el 37 % (n = 22) (p = 0,22) en 2019. No se evidenció diferencia en los estadios deenfermedad de acuerdo con lo informado en los partes quirúrgicos. En 2019, todas las cirugías se realizaron por vía laparoscópica; en 2020, solo un42 % (n = 21). La incidencia de complicaciones fue del 6 %, contra 7,5 % en el período previo (p = 0,75). Un paciente fue COVID-19 positivo. Conclusión. A pesar de la reducción en el númerode casos de apendicitis, no se evidenció una demora en la consulta en nuestra población. El mayor impacto se asoció a la readecuación del manejo, evitando el abordaje laparoscópico para reducir la diseminación del virus.

Introduction. Appendicitis is the leading cause of surgical acute abdomen in pediatrics. During the COVID-19 pandemic, management strategies were reassessed and the number of visits to the emergency department dropped down, which may be associated with delayed diagnoses and complications. The objective of this study was to analyze the impact of the pandemic on children with acute appendicitis. Methods. Analytical, retrospective, comparative study of pediatric patients with acute appendicitis in the 5 months of COVID-19 lockdown versus the same period in the previous year. Incidence, clinical data, stage, surgical approach, and complications were analyzed. Results. The total number of appendicitis cases went down by 25 % (n = 67 versus n = 50 in 2020). The mean time to consultation was 24 hours in both periods (p = 0.989). The incidence of peritonitis was 44 % (n = 22) versus 37 % (n = 22) (p = 0.22) in 2019. No differences were  observed in terms of appendicitis stage based on surgery reports. In 2019, all surgeries were laparoscopic; while in 2020, only 42 % (n = 21). The incidence of complications was 6 % versus 7.5 % in the previous period (p = 0.75). One patient was COVID-19 positive. Conclusion. Although in our population the number of appendicitis cases dropped down, consultation was not delayed. The greater impact was associated with the reformulation of management strategies, in which the laparoscopic approach is avoided to reduce virus transmission.

Effect of herbal medicine daikenchuto on gastrointestinal symptoms following laparoscopic colectomy in patients with colon cancer: A prospective randomized study.

We conducted a prospective randomized study to investigate the effect of daikenchuto (DKT) on abdominal symptoms following laparoscopic colectomy in patients with left-sided colon cancer. Patients who suffered from abdominal pain or distention on postoperative day 1 were randomized to either the DKT group or non-DKT group. The primary endpoints were the evaluation of abdominal pain, abdominal distention, and quality of life. The metabolome and gut microbiome analyses were conducted as secondary endpoints. A total of 17 patients were enrolled: 8 patients in the DKT group and 9 patients in the non-DKT group. There were no significant differences in the primary endpoints and postoperative adverse events between the two groups. The metabolome and gut microbiome analyses showed that the levels of plasma lipid mediators associated with the arachidonic acid cascade were lower in the DKT group than in the non-DKT group, and that the relative abundance of genera Serratia and Bilophila were lower in the DKT group than in the non-DKT group. DKT administration did not improve the abdominal symptoms following laparoscopic colectomy. The effects of DKT on metabolites and gut microbiome have to be further investigated.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the pediatric population with acute appendicitis: Experience at a general, tertiary care hospital. / Impacto de la pandemia por COVID-19 en la población pediátrica con apendicitis aguda: experiencia en un hospital general de tercer nivel.

INTRODUCTION: Appendicitis is the leading cause of surgical acute abdomen in pediatrics. During the COVID-19 pandemic, management strategies were reassessed and the number of visits to the emergency department dropped down, which may be associated with delayed diagnoses and complications. The objective of this study was to analyze the impact of the pandemic on children with acute appendicitis. METHODS: Analytical, retrospective, comparative study of pediatric patients with acute appendicitis in the 5 months of COVID-19 lockdown versus the same period in the previous year. Incidence, clinical data, stage, surgical approach, and complications were analyzed. RESULTS: The total number of appendicitis cases went down by 25% (n = 67 versus n = 50 in 2020). The mean time to consultation was 24 hours in both periods (p = 0.989). The incidence of peritonitis was 44% (n = 22) versus 37% (n = 22) (p = 0.22) in 2019. No differences were observed in terms of appendicitis stage based on surgery reports. In 2019, all surgeries were laparoscopic; while in 2020, only 42% (n = 21). The incidence of complications was 6% versus 7.5% in the previous period (p = 0.75). One patient was COVID-19 positive. CONCLUSION: Although in our population the number of appendicitis cases dropped down, consultation was not delayed. The greater impact was associated with the reformulation of management strategies, in which the laparoscopic approach is avoided to reduce virus transmission.

Introducción. La apendicitis constituye la principal causa de abdomen agudo quirúrgico en pediatría. Durante la pandemia por COVID-19, se replantearon las estrategias de manejo y disminuyeron las consultas en las guardias, lo que podría asociarse a diagnósticos tardíos y complicaciones. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar el impacto de la pandemia en los niños con apendicitis aguda. Métodos. Estudio analítico retrospectivo comparativo de pacientes pediátricos con apendicitis aguda durante los cinco meses del confinamiento por COVID-19 versus los meses equivalentes del año previo. Se analizaron la incidencia, la clínica, el estadio, el abordaje quirúrgico y las complicaciones. Resultados. Los casos totales de apendicitis se redujeron un 25% (n = 67 versus n = 50 en 2020). El tiempo medio hasta la consulta fue de 24 horas en ambos períodos (p = 0,989). La incidencia de peritonitis fue del 44% (n = 22) versus el 37% (n = 22) (p = 0,22) en 2019. No se evidenció diferencia en los estadios de enfermedad de acuerdo con lo informado en los partes quirúrgicos. En 2019, todas las cirugías se realizaron por vía laparoscópica; en 2020, solo un 42% (n = 21). La incidencia de complicaciones fue del 6%, contra 7,5% en el período previo (p = 0,75). Un paciente fue COVID-19 positivo. Conclusión. A pesar de la reducción en el número de casos de apendicitis, no se evidenció una demora en la consulta en nuestra población. El mayor impacto se asoció a la readecuación del manejo, evitando el abordaje laparoscópico para reducir la diseminación del virus.

Optimal hepatic surgery: Are we making progress in North America?

BACKGROUND: The aim of this analysis was to determine whether optimal outcomes have increased in recent years. Hepatic surgery is high risk, but regionalization and minimally invasive approaches have evolved. Best practices also have been defined with the goal of improving outcomes. METHODS: The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was queried. Analyses were performed separately for partial (≤2 segments), major (≥3 segments), and all hepatectomies. Optimal hepatic surgery was defined as the absence of mortality, serious morbidity, need for a postoperative invasive procedure or reoperation, prolonged length of stay (<75th percentile) or readmission. Tests of trend, χ2, and multivariable analyses were performed. RESULTS: From 2014 to 2018, 17,082 hepatectomies, including 11,862 partial hepatectomies and 5,220 major hepatectomies, were analyzed. Minimally invasive approaches increased from 25.6% in 2014 to 29.6% in 2018 (P < .01) and were performed more frequently for partial hepatectomies (34.2%) than major hepatectomies (14.4%) (P < .01). Operative time decreased from 220 minutes in 2014 to 208 minutes in 2018 (P < .05) and was lower in partial hepatectomies (189 vs 258 minutes for major hepatectomies) (P < .01). Mortality (0.7%) and length of stay (4 days) were lower for partial hepatectomies compared with major hepatectomies (1.9%; 6 days), and length of stay decreased for both partial hepatectomies (5 days in 2014 to 4 days in 2018) and major hepatectomies (6 days in 2014 to 6 days in 2018) (all P < .01). Postoperative sepsis (2.9% in 2014 and 2.4% in 2018), bile leaks (6% in 2014 and 4.8% in 2018), and liver failure (3.7% in 2014 and 3.3% in 2018) decreased for all patients (<.05). On multivariable analyses, overall morbidity decreased for major hepatectomies (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.91-0.99) and all hepatectomies (OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.94-0.99, both P < .01), and optimal hepatic surgery increased over time for partial hepatectomies (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.02-1.09) and all hepatectomies (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02-1.07, both P < .01). CONCLUSION: Over a 5-year period in North America, minimally invasive hepatectomies have increased, while operative time, postoperative sepsis, bile leaks, liver failure, and prolonged length of stay have decreased. Optimal hepatic surgery has increased for partial and all hepatectomies and is achieved more often in partial than in major resections.

National survey on the treatment of acute appendicitis in Spain during the initial period of the COVID-19 pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on Spanish hospitals, which have had to allocate all available resources to treat these patients, reducing the ability to attend other common pathologies. The aim of this study is to analyze how the treatment of acute appendicitis has been affected. METHOD: A national descriptive study was carried out by an online voluntary specific questionnaire with Google Drive™ distributed by email by the Spanish Association of Surgeons (AEC) to all affiliated surgeons currently working in Spain (5203), opened from April 14th to April 24th. RESULTS: We received 337 responses from 170 centers. During the first month of the pandemic, the incidence of acute appendicitis decreased. Although conservative management increased, the surgical option has been the most used in both simple and complicated appendicitis. Despite the fact that the laparoscopic approach continues to be the most widely used in our services, the open approach has increased during this pandemic period. CONCLUSION: Highlight the contribution of this study in terms of knowledge of the status of the treatment of acute appendicitis during this first month of the pandemic, being able to serve for a better possible organization in future waves of the pandemic and a reorganization of current protocols and management of acute appendicitis in a pandemic situation.

Outcomes of primary and recurrent inguinal hernia repair with prosthetic mesh in a single region over 15 years.

BACKGROUND: Sutured inguinal hernia repairs are now uncommon, with evidence suggesting that those augmented with mesh are associated with a lower recurrence rate. We aimed to explore the suggestion that the established use of mesh does indeed lower the rate of operation for recurrence in a single National Health Service region. METHOD: We collected retrospective Office of Population Censuses and Surveys coded data across one region of all primary and recurrent inguinal hernia repairs over 15 years (2004-2019). Electronic records of recurrent repairs were scrutinised to identify year and type of previous primary repair. RESULTS: In total, 7,234 repairs were performed during this time, of which 289 (4%) were for symptomatic recurrence. Operations for primary repair increased year on year (111 in 2004 to 402 in 2019). Frequency of operation for recurrent herniation declined with increasing use of mesh (8.8% in 2004 to 3.5% in 2019). The majority of repairs (73%) for recurrence were by an open approach. As opposed to an open mesh repair, a primary laparoscopic repair was associated with an earlier recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Inguinal hernia repairs are increasing in frequency but operations for later symptomatic recurrence following an open primary prosthetic mesh repair are not.

The Effects of Intraoperative Caffeine on Postoperative Opioid Consumption and Related Outcomes After Laparoscopic Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Surgical patients are vulnerable to opioid dependency and related risks. Clinical-translational data suggest that caffeine may enhance postoperative analgesia. This trial tested the hypothesis that intraoperative caffeine would reduce postoperative opioid consumption. The secondary objective was to assess whether caffeine improves neuropsychological recovery postoperatively. METHODS: This was a single-center, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Participants, clinicians, research teams, and data analysts were all blinded to the intervention. Adult (≥18 years old) surgical patients (n = 65) presenting for laparoscopic colorectal and gastrointestinal surgery were randomized to an intravenous caffeine citrate infusion (200 mg) or dextrose 5% in water (40 mL) during surgical closure. The primary outcome was cumulative opioid consumption through postoperative day 3. Secondary outcomes included subjective pain reporting, observer-reported pain, delirium, Trail Making Test performance, depression and anxiety screens, and affect scores. Adverse events were reported, and hemodynamic profiles were also compared between the groups. RESULTS: Sixty patients were included in the final analysis, with 30 randomized to each group. The median (interquartile range) cumulative opioid consumption (oral morphine equivalents, milligrams) was 77 mg (33-182 mg) for caffeine and 51 mg (15-117 mg) for placebo (estimated difference, 55 mg; 95% confidence interval [CI], -9 to 118; P = .092). After post hoc adjustment for baseline imbalances, caffeine was associated with increased opioid consumption (87 mg; 95% CI, 26-148; P = .005). There were otherwise no differences in prespecified pain or neuropsychological outcomes between the groups. No major adverse events were reported in relation to caffeine, and no major hemodynamic perturbations were observed with caffeine administration. CONCLUSIONS: Caffeine appears unlikely to reduce early postoperative opioid consumption. Caffeine otherwise appears well tolerated during anesthetic emergence.