Primary Care Delivery Perceptions and Their Associations with Physician and Patient Gender.

INTRODUCTION: We aim to survey patients' opinions on perceived differences in patient care delivered by male and female physicians. METHODS: Patients of primary care practices at Mayo Clinic, Arizona completed a survey sent through the electronic health record. The survey evaluated opinion regarding their primary care physician (PCP)'s overall healthcare provision capabilities and any perceived differences based on gender. RESULTS: 4983 patients' responses were included in final analysis. Compared to male patients, most female patients preferred to have a female PCP (78.1% vs. 32.7%, p < 0.01). Having a preference for female physicians was correlated with higher overall opinion of female physicians. The majority of male patients did not hold a difference in opinion regarding male versus female physicians (p < 0.01). Male patients were half as likely to have a better opinion and nearly 2.5 times more likely to have a worse opinion of female physicians (p < 0.01) compared to female patients. Patients preferring female physicians were nearly 3 times more likely to have a better opinion of female physicians compared to patients with no preference (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: In a primary care setting, majority of female patients compared to male patients preferred female physicians as their PCP and had higher opinion of the care delivery of female physicians. These findings may influence how practices should assign primary care physicians to new patients and add underlying context to patient satisfaction ratings.

Survival and Incidence Patterns of Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors Over the Last 2 Decades: A SEER Database Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs) are rare cancers with outcomes determined by multiple factors including grade, stage, and clinical presentation. In this study, we aimed to determine the prognosis of patients with pNETs using a large population-based database. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this population-based study, we identified patients with pNETs from the SEER 18 registry (2000-2016) using a combination of ICD-O-3 and histology codes. We calculated age-adjusted incidence rates using SEER*Stat 8.3.5. In addition, we analyzed overall survival (OS) using the Kaplan-Meier method, and investigated prognostic factors using a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: A total of 8944 pNETs patients were identified. Annual incidence rates increased from 0.27 to 1.00 per 100 000. This was largely explained by an increase in number of patients diagnosed with localized disease in more recent years (2012-2016). Median OS was 68 months (95% CI [64, 73]) and 5-year OS rates in localized, regional, and metastatic disease were 83%, 67%, and 28%, respectively. There was a significant improvement in OS for patients diagnosed between 2009 and 2016 (median OS 85 months) compared with those diagnosed between 2000 and 2008 (median OS 46 months) (HR 0.66; 95% CI [0.62, 0.70]). This improvement in OS was consistent across all stages. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This study shows a steady increase pNETs incidence with notable stage migration to earlier stages in recent years. This increase in incidence is accompanied by a significant improvement in survival across different disease stages.

Salvage versus primary holmium laser enucleation of the prostate: trends, outcomes and safety analysis.

PURPOSE: To study the safety, efficacy and trends in index procedures leading to salvage holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (S-HoLEP). METHODS: This was a single-institution retrospective review of HoLEPs performed between 2006 and 2020. Patients who underwent S-HoLEP were compared to those undergoing primary holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (P-HoLEP). The endpoint of primary interest were functional outcomes. Changes in index procedures over the study period were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 633 HoLEPs were performed during the study, with 217 being S-HoLEP. The S-HoLEP cohort was older than P-HoLEP cohort, 71.2 years vs 68.8 years (p = 0.03). All other factors were well matched. The most common index procedures prior to S-HoLEP included transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) (87, 40.1%), transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT) (44, 20.3%), photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP) (24, 11.1%) and prostatic urethral lift (PUL) (24, 11.1%). Preoperative prostate volume, IPSS and Qmax were similar between groups. Intra-operatively, S-HoLEP had longer procedure and morcellation times (p = 0.01 and 0.007). Postoperatively, the S-HoLEP cohort had longer catheter duration and hospitalization (both p < 0.001). Postoperative Qmax, IPSS and 90-day complication rates were similar. On temporal analysis, minimally invasive surgical therapies (MIST) have become more prevalent as index procedures. CONCLUSION: S-HoLEP is safe and efficacious for patients requiring additional BPH surgical intervention. S-HoLEP patients had longer operative times and hospital stays but equivalent postoperative functional outcomes compared to P-HoLEP. As MIST mature and gain traction, it is expected that rates of S-HoLEP will continue to rise.

Rates of Upstaging, Between Diagnosis and Surgery, and Clinical Management of Metastatic Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (cSCC) have upstage rates of approximately 10.3% to 11.1%. Data are currently limited on the rate of upstaging for metastatic cSCC. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the rates of upstaging, between diagnosis and surgery, and differences in management for metastatic and non-metastatic high-risk cSCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective, case-control, single institution, multi-center study. Univariate analysis was used. RESULTS: Sixty-eight subjects (34 metastatic & 34 non-metastatic) with 69 tumors were included. The overall rate of upstaging was 46.4%. The most common reasons for upstage were undocumented tumor size and under-diagnosis of poor differentiation. There were no differences in rates of upstaging. Preoperative imaging was performed in 43.6% of wide local excisions (WLE) versus 3.3% of Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS; p < .001). The median days from surgery to sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB), or nodal dissection was shorter for WLE versus MMS (0 vs 221 days, p < .001). CONCLUSION: Improved clinical documentation, including documenting tumor size, and the identification of pathologic risk factors, including poor differentiation and depth of invasion, are needed for proper staging. Preoperative imaging and discussion of SLNB may be beneficial for high-risk T2b and T3 tumors.

Outcomes following liver transplantation from HCV-seropositive donors to HCV-seronegative recipients.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Grafts from HCV-seropositive donors can now be considered for liver transplantation (LT) owing to the advent of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). We report on our multicenter experience of transplanting liver grafts from HCV-seropositive donors into HCV-seronegative recipients. METHODS: This is a prospective multicenter observational study evaluating outcomes in adult HCV-seronegative LT recipients who received grafts from HCV-seropositive donors in 3 US centers. RESULTS: From 01/18 to 09/19, 34 HCV-seronegative LT recipients received grafts from HCV-seropositive donors (20 HCV-viremic and 14 non-viremic). Seven grafts were from cardiac-dead donors. The median MELD-Na score at allocation was 20. Six recipients underwent simultaneous liver-kidney transplant and 4 repeat LT. No recipient of an HCV-non-viremic graft developed HCV viremia. All 20 patients who received HCV-viremic grafts had HCV viremia confirmed within 3 days after LT. DAA treatment was started at a median of 27.5 days after LT. Median pre-treatment viral load was 723,000 IU/ml. All (20/20) patients completed treatment and achieved SVR12. Treatment was well tolerated with minimal adverse events. One patient developed HCV-related acute membranous nephropathy that resulted in end-stage kidney disease, despite achieving viral clearance. This patient died due to presumed infectious complications. A recipient of an HCV-non-viremic graft died with acute myocardial infarction 610 days post LT. CONCLUSIONS: Transplantation of liver grafts from HCV-seropositive donors into HCV-seronegative recipients resulted in excellent short-term outcomes. Antiviral therapy was effective and well tolerated. Careful ongoing assessment and prompt initiation of antiviral therapy are recommended. Longer term follow-up in carefully conducted clinical trials is still required to confirm these results. LAY SUMMARY: This study shows that livers from donors exposed to HCV expand the donor pool and can be used safely in patients who are seronegative for hepatitis C infection. Treatment, initiated early post transplantation, is effective and resulted in cure in all patients.

Electromagnetic interference from left ventricular assist device in patients with transvenous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator.

BACKGROUND: Many advanced heart failure patients have both a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) and an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). This study examines incidence, clinical impact, and management of LVAD-related EMI. METHODS: We performed a three-center retrospective analysis of transvenous ICD implanted patients with LVAD implanted between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2020. The primary outcome was EMI after LVAD implantation, categorized as LVAD-related noise or telemetry interference. RESULTS: The rate of LVAD-related EMI among the 737 patients (mean age 58.6 ± 12.8 years) studied was 5.0%. Telemetry interference (1.5%) compromised ICD interrogation in all patients. This was resolved successfully with use of a metal shield, encased wand, radiofrequency tower, different ICD programmer or by increasing distance between ICD programmer and LVAD (n = 6). ICD replacement was required to reestablish successful communication in three patients. LVAD-related noise (3.5%) led to oversensing (n = 4), inappropriate mode switches (n = 4), noise reversion (n = 3), inhibition of pacing (n = 2), inappropriate detection as atrial fibrillation (AF) (n = 2) and inappropriate detection as ventricular tachycardia (VT) and/or ventricular fibrillation (VF) (n = 2). This noise interference persisted (n = 3), resolved spontaneously (n = 16), resolved with programming change (n = 6) or required lead revision (n = 1). CONCLUSIONS: EMI from LVAD impacts ICD function, although, the incidence rate is low. Physicians implanting both, LVAD in patients with ICD (more common) or ICD in patients with LVAD, should be aware of possible interferences. Telemetry failure not resolved by metal shielding was overcome by ICD generator replacement to a different manufacturer. In most cases, LVAD-related noise resolves spontaneously.

Vaginal leukocyte counts for predicting sexually transmitted infections in the emergency department.

BACKGROUND: The use of vaginal white blood cell (WBC) counts to predict sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the emergency department (ED) is incompletely characterized. OBJECTIVES: Our objective was to assess the relationship between vaginal wet preparation WBC counts and STIs and to determine whether WBC counts of at least 11 WBCs per high-power field (HPF) could be useful for identifying STIs in women in the ED. METHODS: Female ED patients 18 years or older who were evaluated in a single health system between April 18, 2014, and March 7, 2017, and had a genital wet preparation WBC result were retrospectively examined using univariable and multivariable analysis. RESULTS: Vaginal wet preparation WBC counts were examined for 17,180 patient encounters. Vaginal WBC counts of at least 11 WBCs/HPF were associated with increased odds of having gonorrhea, chlamydia, or trichomoniasis. When this threshold was used for the diagnosis of each STI, sensitivity ranged from 48.2% to 53.9%, and specificity ranged from 67.2% to 68.8%. CONCLUSION: Women with STIs are more likely to have higher vaginal WBC counts. However, higher vaginal wet preparation WBC counts in isolation have limited diagnostic utility for gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis. Incorporation of age, urine leukocyte esterase results, and vaginal WBC counts provided a better predictor of an STI than vaginal WBC counts alone.

Surgical Ergonomics and Musculoskeletal Pain in Arthroplasty Surgeons.

BACKGROUND: One occupational hazard inherent to total joint replacement surgeons is procedural-related musculoskeletal pain (MSP). The purpose of this study is to identify the prevalence of work-related MSP among arthroplasty surgeons and analyze associated behaviors, attitudes, and beliefs toward surgical ergonomics. METHODS: A survey was sent to members of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons. The survey included 3 main sections: demographics, symptoms by body part, and attitudes/beliefs/behaviors regarding surgical ergonomics. Pain was reported using the Numeric Rating Scale (0 = no pain, 10 = maximum pain), and well-being was assessed using the Maslach Burnout Inventory. RESULTS: In total, 586 surgeons completed the survey: 96.1% male and 3.9% female. Most surgeons (96.5%) experience procedural-related MSP. Collectively, surgeons reported an average pain score of 3.7/10 (standard deviation ±1.95). Significant levels of MSP (≥5/10) were most common in the lower back (34.2%), hands (24.8%), and the neck (21.2%). There was a positive association among higher MSP and burnout (P < .001), callousness toward others (P = .005), and decreased overall happiness (P < .001). MSP was also found to have a significant impact on surgeon behavior including the degree of irritability (P < .001), alcohol intake (P < .001), and poor sleep patterns (P < .001). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of MSP among arthroplasty surgeons is extremely high. This study demonstrates that MSP has a significant impact on career attitudes, lifestyle, and overall surgeon well-being. This study may also contribute to future work to prevent cumulative chronic ailments, disability, and lost productivity of arthroplasty surgeons through promotion of improved ergonomics and risk-reduction strategies. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

De novo coccidioidomycosis among solid organ transplant recipients 1 or more years after transplant.

Solid organ transplant recipients who contract coccidioidomycosis are at risk for complicated, protracted, disseminated, and severe disease. To date, no studies have described outcomes for patients who develop coccidioidomycosis only after the first posttransplant year. This study was a joint project of Mayo Clinic Hospital, Phoenix, Arizona, and the University of Arizona/Banner University Medical Center, Tucson, Arizona. We retrospectively reviewed electronic health records for patients with a history of solid organ transplant between January 1, 1998, and October 11, 2014, who developed coccidioidomycosis after the first transplant year. We identified 91 patients. Of those, 37/91 (40.7%) had pulmonary coccidioidomycosis (29/37 [78.4%] were symptomatic); and 5/91 (5.5%) had extrapulmonary disease (all were symptomatic). One patient (1.1%) died. Coccidioidomycosis was evident in 2/91 (2.2%) patients within 3 months of antirejection treatment. Many of the patients (51/91 [56.0%]) had asymptomatic coccidioidomycosis, 27 (27.9%) of whom were followed up closely but did not receive antifungal medication and had no sequelae. Although solid organ recipients taking low-level immunosuppression after the first posttransplant year appeared to have less symptomatic, disseminated, or fatal coccidioidal infection than historical cohorts, this remains an important infection with morbidity and mortality even after the first posttransplant year.

Are testers also admitters? Comparing emergency physician resource utilization and admitting practices.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the relationship between emergency department resource utilization and admission rate at the level of the individual physician. METHODS: Retrospective observational study of physician resource utilization and admitting data at two emergency departments. We calculated observed to expected (O/E) ratios for four measures of resource utilization (intravenous medications and fluids, laboratory testing, plain radiographs, and advanced imaging studies) as well as for admission rate. Expected values reflect adjustment for patient- and time-based variables. We compared O/E ratios for each type of resource utilization to the O/E ratio for admission for each provider. We report degree of correlation (slope of the trendline) and strength of correlation (adjusted R2 value) for each association, as well as categorical results after clustering physicians based on the relationship of resource utilization to admission rate. RESULTS: There were statistically significant positive correlations between resource utilization and physician admission rate. Physicians with lower resource utilization rates were more likely to have lower admission rates, and those with higher resource utilization rates were more likely to have higher admission rates. CONCLUSIONS: In a two-facility study, emergency physician resource utilization and admission rate were positively correlated: those who used more ED resources also tended to admit more patients. These results add to a growing understanding of emergency physician variability.

Differential Child Maltreatment Risk Across Deployment Periods of US Army Soldiers.

OBJECTIVES: We described the risk for maltreatment among toddlers of US Army soldiers over different deployment cycles to develop a systematic response within the US Army to provide families appropriate supports. METHODS: We conducted a person-time analysis of substantiated maltreatment reports and medical diagnoses among children of 112,325 deployed US Army soldiers between 2001 and 2007. RESULTS: Risk of maltreatment was elevated after deployment for children of soldiers deployed once but not for children of soldiers deployed twice. During the 6 months after deployment, children of soldiers deployed once had 4.43 substantiated maltreatment reports and 4.96 medical diagnoses per 10,000 child-months. The highest maltreatment rate among children of soldiers deployed twice occurred during the second deployment for substantiated maltreatment (4.83 episodes per 10,000 child-months) and before the first deployment for medical diagnoses of maltreatment (3.78 episodes per 10,000 child-months). CONCLUSIONS: We confirmed an elevated risk for child maltreatment during deployment but also found a previously unidentified high-risk period during the 6 months following deployment, indicating elevated stress within families of deployed and returning soldiers. These findings can inform efforts by the military to initiate and standardize support and preparation to families during periods of elevated risk.

Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) therapy is safe and effective in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) patients with immunomodulating conditions.

INTRODUCTION: Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is the most effective therapy available to treat high-risk nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) patients. However, for patients with immunomodulating conditions BCG is a relative contraindication due to efficacy and safety concerns. To our knowledge, no population-level study evaluating the efficacy and safety profile of BCG for immunomodulated patients exists. METHODS: NMIBC patients aged 66 years or older were identified in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) - Medicare database from 1975-2013. All patients completed adequate BCG (at least 5 plus 2 treatments completed within 12 months of diagnosis). Two groups were defined: an immunomodulated population identified by immunomodulating conditions such as solid-organ transplantation, HIV, and autoimmune conditions, and an immunocompetent group. The primary endpoint was 5-year progression-free survival defined as progression to systemic chemotherapy, checkpoint inhibitors, radical or partial cystectomy, metastasis, or cancer-specific death. A safety analysis was performed as a secondary outcome. RESULTS: In a total of 4,277 patients with NMIBC who completed adequate BCG, 606 (14.2%) were immunomodulated. The immunomodulated group was older at diagnosis (P < 0.001), more likely to be female (P < 0.001), more likely to live in a metropolitan area (P < 0.001), and had higher Charlson comorbidity scores (P < 0.001). There were no differences in progression to chemotherapy (P = 0.17), checkpoint inhibitors (P > 0.99), radical cystectomy (P = 0.40), partial cystectomy (P = 0.93), metastasis (P = 0.19), cancer-specific death (P = 0.18) or 5-year total bladder cancer progression (P = 0.30) between the groups. For the safety analysis, rates of disseminated BCG were similar between immunomodulated and immunocompetent patients (0.7% vs. <1.8%, P = 0.51). On multivariable analysis 5-year total bladder cancer progression (HR 1.07 [CI 0.88-1.30]) was similar between the groups. CONCLUSION: Rates of bladder cancer progression and disseminated BCG complications 5-years after BCG therapy were similar regardless of immunomodulation status. These findings suggest that BCG intravesical therapy can be offered to immunomodulated patients with high-risk NMIBC although theoretical infectious complication risks remain.

Timing of Ureteral Stent Removal After Ureteroscopy on Stent-Related Symptoms: A Validated Questionnaire Comparison of 3 and 7 Days Stent Duration.

Objectives: To determine whether urinary symptoms are significantly improved with a shorter duration of stent placement without an increase in complications. Methods: A total of 100 patients were prospectively randomized to two groups, either a 3-day (n = 59, Group 1) or 7-day (n = 41, Group 2) stent placement group depending on date of operation. Patients submitted Ureteral Stent Symptom Questionnaires both while stents were in situ and 2 to 3 days after removal. Results: Group 2 reported greater urinary symptoms (p < 0.001) and pain (p < 0.001) with stents in situ compared with Group 1. Urinary symptoms (p < 0.001), pain (p = 0.003), and general health (p = 0.02) were more severe in Group 2 after stent removal as well. The analysis also revealed that urinary symptoms, pain, and general health improved after stent removal compared with stent in situ (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in work-related functioning between two groups. There was one complication in Group 1 requiring bilateral stent replacement. There were no significant differences in emergency department visits, unplanned clinic visits, or hospitalizations between Groups 1 and 2. Conclusions: Patients with stent removal at 3-day group had better reported urinary, pain, and general health score compared with 7-day group. Patients after stent removal had improved urinary symptoms, pain symptom, and general health compared with ureteral stent in situ. There was no statistically significant difference in complications between the groups.

Factors Influencing Patient Confidence in Screening Mammography.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to assess factors associated with patients' confidence in the ability of screening mammography to detect breast cancer. METHODS: Data were analyzed from a cross-sectional, prospective survey conducted in 2017 of women without a breast cancer history who were undergoing screening mammography at our institution. RESULTS: In total, 390 women completed the survey questions relevant to this study. Most respondents were 46 years or older (89.7%), White (87.6%), and college-educated (66.1%). Approximately 80% of respondents reported having confidence in the ability of screening mammography to detect breast cancer. Factors significantly associated with lower confidence in screening mammography were higher education (P = .01) and dense breast tissue (P < .001). Age (P = .12), race (P = .64), family history of breast cancer (P = .17), prior abnormal mammogram (P = .07), and mammogram frequency (P = .42) were nonsignificant. Women with a college education or higher were less likely to report confidence in routine mammography than women with less education (odds ratio [OR]= 0.43; 95% CI, 0.20-0.84; P = .02). Compared with women who reported their breast tissue as not dense, women who were aware they had increased breast density (OR = 0.16; 95% CI, 0.04-0.49; P = .004) or were unaware whether they had increased breast density (OR = 0.17; 95% CI, 0.04-0.51; P = .005) reported less confidence in screening mammography. DISCUSSION: Most respondents were confident in the ability of screening mammography to detect breast cancer. Confidence was inversely associated with education level and self-reported increased breast density. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the importance of continued patient education about the effectiveness of screening mammography for patients with dense breast tissue.

Intraoperative magnesium sulfate is not associated with improved pain control after urologic procedures.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate effects of intraoperative magnesium sulfate infusion on pain control and analgesic use in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU). METHODS: This is a retrospective review of patients undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) and endoscopic procedures of the bladder, prostate, and urethra from 2/2021 to 12/2021. Patients receiving Mg infusion (Mg group) received an intravenous 2-g bolus of Mg at anesthesia induction, followed by infusion of 1 g/h until procedure end. Outcomes were compared with patients who underwent similar procedures during this timeframe without Mg (Control). Endpoints were use of anticholinergic (AC) and belladonna and opium suppositories (BO), maximum pain score, and morphine milligram equivalents (MME) in PACU. RESULTS: There were 182 patients, with 89 (48.9%) patients in the Mg group and 93 (51.1%) in the Control. Significantly, fewer patients in the Mg group were given AC/BO in PACU (9.0% vs. 21.7%, p = 0.02), with odds of using AC/BO which was 0.36 (95% CI 0.14, 0.83). No differences were found in pain score (p = 0.62) or MME administration (p = 0.94). In subgroup univariate analysis, only those who underwent bladder procedures had a significant difference in use of AC/BO (9.5% vs. 30.2%; p = 0.02). Across all surgeries, Mg infusion was associated with decreased use of AC/BO in the PACU (OR 0.34, p = 0.02); however, stratifying by procedure type did not find a difference in AC/BO use postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Intravenous infusion of magnesium was found to decrease use of AC/BO in the PACU; however, this significance was lost after multivariable analysis stratifying by procedure type.

Acupuncture as a Complementary Treatment Modality in the Post-Anesthesia Care Setting: A Feasibility Study.

Introduction: Postoperative pain management and postoperative nausea and vomiting are a persistent challenge for both health care providers and patients. Acupuncture is an effective and safe modality for the management of pain and nausea, and has the potential to play a key role in postoperative pain management. This study explores the utility and feasibility of acupuncture in the immediate postoperative setting. Methods: In a retrospective case-control study, 22 patients who underwent elective surgeries and received acupuncture in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) were compared with 88 case controls. Indications for acupuncture therapy included persistent pain, nausea, or anxiety. Patient satisfaction and symptom improvement after acupuncture were assessed. PACU nurses and patients were queried on their perspectives on using this therapy. Demographic data, perioperative opioid consumption, pain score in the PACU, incidence of postoperative nausea, PACU length of stay, and unintended hospital admission were assessed. The groups with/without acupuncture were compared using Wilcoxon rank sum test or Fisher's exact test as appropriate. Results: A total of 78.9% of patients receiving acupuncture felt improvement in their symptoms. 94.7% of recovery nurses who cared for patients who received acupuncture felt that it was helpful and 78.9% did not believe it was disruptive. Patients who opted for acupuncture had a statistically significant higher overall median (interquartile range) pain score in the PACU (7.0 [5.2, 9.5] vs. 5.0 [3.0, 7.0], p = 0.009) and higher postoperative opioid consumption (22.5 [9.8, 44.8] vs. 15.0 [0.0, 30.0], p = 0. 03). There was no difference between total perioperative opioid consumption between groups (p = 0.94). Conclusions: Most patients who received acupuncture therapy in the PACU were satisfied with their therapy and would recommend it to future patients undergoing surgery. Most recovery nurses felt it was helpful, was not disruptive, and would like to see it utilized in the PACU.