Respiratory Depression Following Intraoperative Methadone: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Methadone is used as a perioperative analgesic in the management of postoperative pain. Despite positive outcomes from randomized trials favoring methadone, concerns about its safety persist, particularly regarding respiratory depression (RD) and excessive sedation. In this study, we compared the incidence of naloxone administration between patients administered intraoperative methadone and those administered intraoperative morphine as a measure of severe RD. Time spent at the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) was used as a proxy variable for excessive sedation. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study including all patients aged ≥18 years who underwent surgery between March 2019 and March 2023 at Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark. We assessed the association between intraoperative administration of either methadone or morphine and postoperative naloxone administration within the first 24 hours using logistic regression (primary outcome). An analogous linear regression model was used for the secondary outcome of time spent in the PACU after surgery. Patients were weighted using propensity scores to adjust for potential confounding variables. RESULTS: A total of 14,522 patients were included in the analysis. Among the 2437 patients who received intraoperative methadone, 15 (0.62%) patients received naloxone within the first 24 hours after surgery compared to 68 of 12,0885 (0.56%) who received intraoperative morphine. No statistical difference was observed in the odds of naloxone administration between patients administered methadone or morphine (adjusted odds ratio 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21 [0.40-2.02]). Patients who were administered intraoperative methadone had a mean PACU length of stay (LOS) of 334 minutes (standard deviation [SD], 382) compared to 195 minutes (SD, 228) for those administered intraoperative morphine. The adjusted PACU LOS of patients administered intraoperative methadone was 26% longer compared to those administered intraoperative morphine (adjusted ratio of the geometric means 95% CI, 1.26 [1.22-1.31]). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of naloxone administration to treat severe RD was low. No difference was observed in the odds of naloxone administration to treat severe RD between patients administered intraoperative methadone or intraoperative morphine. Intraoperative methadone was associated with longer stays at the PACU; however, this result should be interpreted with care. Our findings suggest that intraoperative methadone has a safety profile comparable to that of morphine with regard to severe RD.

As-needed opioid dosing for emergency patients with a daily use of opioids.

BACKGROUND: Patients with a daily use of opioids have a higher risk of insufficient pain treatment during hospitalization than other patients. This study aimed to examine whether as-needed opioid doses (PRN) were adequately adjusted when patients were admitted to the emergency department (ED) with pain. METHODS: Patients, with a daily use of opioids, who received PRN opioid within the first 3 h after admission at the ED at Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark, were prospectively included from February 2021 to June 2021. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients receiving an inadequate initial dose of PRN opioid, here defined as <15% of daily dose of opioids (DDO) based on sparse evidence, but aligning with the prevailing clinical practice. Secondary outcomes included risk of an inadequate PRN dose in relation to DDO (patients were dichotomized into two groups (DDO <60 or ≥60 mg/day). RESULTS: Among 252 patients admitted to the ED with a daily use of opioids, 149 were admitted with pain and 82 received a PRN opioid dose within 3 h. Twenty-seven out of 82 (33%) patients received a PRN dose of <15% of DDO (95% CI: 23.7-43). When dichotomised; 10 out of 50 (20%) patients with a DDO <60 mg/day (95% CI: 10.0-33.7) versus 17 out of 32 (53.1%) patients with a DDO ≥60 mg/day (95% CI: 34.7-70.9) received an inadequate PRN dose (relative risk, RR: 2.65 [95% CI: 1.4-5.1]). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with daily use of opioids presenting in the ED with acute pain had a high risk of inadequate PRN opioid dose, especially if the DDO was high. Awareness about and education focusing on sufficient PRN doses for patients with a daily use of opioids is (still) called for.

Intraoperative clonidine in endometriosis and spine surgery: A protocol for two randomised, blinded, placebo-controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: A high proportion of patients who undergo surgery continue to suffer from moderate to severe pain in the early postoperative period despite advances in pain management strategies. Previous studies suggest that clonidine, an alpha2 adrenergic agonist, administered during the perioperative period could reduce acute postoperative pain intensity and opioid consumption. However, these studies have several limitations related to study design and sample size and hence, further studies are needed. AIM: To investigate the effect of a single intravenous (IV) dose of intraoperative clonidine on postoperative opioid consumption, pain intensity, nausea, vomiting and sedation after endometriosis and spine surgery. METHODS: Two separate randomised, blinded, placebo-controlled trials are planned. Patients scheduled for endometriosis (CLONIPAIN) will be randomised to receive either 150 µg intraoperative IV clonidine or placebo (isotonic saline). Patients undergoing spine surgery (CLONISPINE) will receive 3 µg/kg intraoperative IV clonidine or placebo. We aim to include 120 patients in each trial to achieve power of 90% at an alpha level of 0.05. OUTCOMES: The primary outcome is opioid consumption within the first three postoperative hours. Secondary outcomes include pain intensity at rest and during coughing, nausea, vomiting and sedation within the first two postoperative hours and opioid consumption within the first six postoperative hours. Time to discharge from the PACU will be registered. CONCLUSION: This study is expected to provide valuable information on the efficacy of intraoperative clonidine in acute postoperative pain management in patients undergoing endometriosis and spine surgery.

An individualised tapering protocol reduces opioid use 1 year after spine surgery: A randomised controlled trial of patients with preoperative opioid use.

BACKGROUND: Persistent opioid use following surgery is common especially in patients with preoperative opioid use. This study aims to determine the long-term effect of an individualised opioid tapering plan versus standard of care in patients with a preoperative opioid use undergoing spine surgery at Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark. METHODS: This is the 1-year follow-up of a prospective, single-centre, randomised trial of 110 patients who underwent elective spine surgery for degenerative disease. The intervention was an individualised tapering plan at discharge and telephone counselling 1 week after discharge, compared to standard of care. Postoperative outcomes after 1 year include opioid use, reasons for opioid use and pain intensity. RESULTS: The overall response rate to the 1-year follow-up questionnaire was 94% (intervention group 52/55 patients and control group 51/55 patients). Forty-two patients (proportion = 0.81, 95% CI 0.67-0.89) in the intervention group compared to 31 (0.61, 95% CI 0.47-0.73; p = .026) patients in the control group succeeded in tapering to zero 1 year after discharge (p = .026). One patient (0.02, 95% CI 0.01-0.13) in the intervention group compared to seven patients (0.14, 95% CI 0.07-0.26) in the control group were unable to taper to their preoperative dose 1 year after discharge (p = .025). Back/neck and radicular pain intensity was similar between study groups. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that an individualised tapering plan at discharge combined with telephone counselling 1 week after discharge can reduce opioid use 1 year after spine surgery.

Collaboration for Evidence-based Practice and Research in Anaesthesia (CEPRA): A consortium initiative for perioperative research.

Evidence in perioperative care is insufficient. There is an urgent need for large perioperative research programmes, including pragmatic randomised trials, testing daily clinical treatments and unanswered question, thereby providing solid evidence for effects of interventions given to a large and growing number of patients undergoing surgery and anaesthesia. This may be achieved through large collaborations. Collaboration for Evidence-based Practice and Research in Anaesthesia (CEPRA) is a novel collaborative research network founded to pursue evidence-based answers to major clinical questions in perioperative medicine. The aims of CEPRA are to (1) improve clinical treatment and outcomes and optimise the use of resources for patients undergoing anaesthesia and perioperative care, and (2) disseminate results and inform caretakers, patients and relatives, and policymakers of evidence-based treatments in anaesthesia and perioperative medicine. CEPRA is inclusive in its concept. We aim to extend our collaboration with all relevant clinical collaborators and patient associations and representatives. Although initiated in Denmark, CEPRA seeks to develop an international network infrastructure, for example, with other Nordic countries. The work of CEPRA will follow the highest methodological standards. The organisation aims to structure and optimise any element of the research collaboration to reduce economic costs and harness benefits from well-functioning research infrastructure. This includes successive continuation of trials, harmonisation of outcomes, and alignment of data management systems. This paper presents the initiation and visions of the CEPRA network. CEPRA aims to be inclusive, patient-focused, methodologically sound, and to optimise all aspects of research logistics. This will translate into faster research conduct, reliable results, and accelerated clinical implementation of results, thereby benefiting millions of patients whilst being cost and labour-saving.

Making sense of phantom limb pain.

Phantom limb pain (PLP) impacts the majority of individuals who undergo limb amputation. The PLP experience is highly heterogenous in its quality, intensity, frequency and severity. This heterogeneity, combined with the low prevalence of amputation in the general population, has made it difficult to accumulate reliable data on PLP. Consequently, we lack consensus on PLP mechanisms, as well as effective treatment options. However, the wealth of new PLP research, over the past decade, provides a unique opportunity to re-evaluate some of the core assumptions underlying what we know about PLP and the rationale behind PLP treatments. The goal of this review is to help generate consensus in the field on how best to research PLP, from phenomenology to treatment. We highlight conceptual and methodological challenges in studying PLP, which have hindered progress on the topic and spawned disagreement in the field, and offer potential solutions to overcome these challenges. Our hope is that a constructive evaluation of the foundational knowledge underlying PLP research practices will enable more informed decisions when testing the efficacy of existing interventions and will guide the development of the next generation of PLP treatments.

Comparison of Spinal Cord Stimulation Outcomes Between Preoperative Opioid Users and Nonusers: A Cohort Study of 467 Patients.

OBJECTIVES: Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a surgical treatment modality reserved for a subset of patients with neuropathic pain in which conventional pharmacologic treatment has proven insufficient. Previous studies have suggested a possible negative relationship between opioid use at referral and subsequent success of SCS therapy. The aim of this cohort study was to investigate whether preoperative opioid use was associated with inferior SCS outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were obtained from the Danish Neurizon Neuromodulation Database and comprised preoperative registrations of analgesic use, postoperative Patients' Global Impression of Change (PGIC) ratings, pre- and postoperative pain intensity scores (Numeric Rating Scale), and detailed surgical data. Patients were dichotomized according to preoperative opioid use (users vs nonusers) with subsequent assessment of the latest PGIC rating, reduction in pain intensity, and current treatment status (implanted/explanted). In addition, daily preoperative opioid dosages were quantified in oral morphine equivalents (OME) and correlated to the treatment outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 467 patients were included; 296 consumed opioids before SCS implantation (median 80 OME/d). Preoperative opioid use was not associated with the latest PGIC rating, reduction in pain intensity (30% or 50%), or risk of undergoing explantation (median follow-up = 3.0 years). Likewise, preoperative median OME per day of opioid users was not correlated with any of the defined outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative opioid usage did not predict the outcome of SCS therapy in a large cohort of patients permanently implanted with an SCS system. The results do not support withholding otherwise well-indicated SCS therapy in patients with chronic neuropathic pain conditions based merely on preoperative opioid usage.

A multicomponent intervention to optimise nurse-patient communication in the intensive care unit: A mixed-methods acceptability and feasibility study.

BACKGROUND: Mechanically ventilated patients in intensive care units may experience communication challenges owing to intubation, which affects nurse-patient communication. Several strategies may optimise communication, but only one previous study has tested a multicomponent intervention. Implementing such an intervention can be challenging because communication strategies may be set aside by lifesaving care tasks and procedures. In a previous study, we designed a communication intervention based on pre-existing clinical methods and evidence-based approaches. The present study evaluated the intervention to determine if it was necessary to adjust its components and the implementation strategy. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and assess nurses' acceptability of a patient-centred, multicomponent communication intervention prototype in an intensive care unit. METHODS: The overall frame was the Medical Research Council's framework for developing complex interventions. Indicators of feasibility and acceptability were used for the evaluation. A mixed-methods design was applied including a survey with open-ended text boxes and qualitative observations as data sources. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively, and qualitative data were explored using content analysis. Data were compiled and displayed in a side-by-side comparison. The data were collected between September 2020 and March 2021. Nurses from four intensive care units at a university hospital in Denmark participated in the study. All nurses who were on active duty during the implementation of the intervention were enrolled for the survey and participant observations. RESULTS: Overall, the results provided insight into the feasibility based on fidelity and context as well as nurses' acceptability based on adherence, appropriateness, convenience, and effectiveness. Qualitative and quantitative results yielded partially contrasting findings but highlighted how the intervention may be optimised to enhance fit with clinical practice and overcome implementation challenges. CONCLUSION: The intervention was feasible and acceptable. However, implementation needs to be repeated to allow nurses to fully understand and use the intervention.

Chronic post-operative opioid use after open cardiac surgery: A Danish population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Knowledge of chronic opioid use after cardiac surgery is sparse. We therefore aimed to describe the proportion of new chronic post-operative opioid use after open cardiac surgery. METHODS: We used prospectively registered data from a national prescription registry and a clinical registry of 29 815 first-time cardiac surgeries from three Danish university hospitals. Data collection spanned from 2003 to 2016. The main outcome was chronic post-operative opioid use, defined as at least one opioid dispensing in the fourth post-operative quarter. Data were assessed for patient-level predictors of chronic post-operative opioid use, including pre-operative opioid use, opioid use at discharge, comorbidities, and procedural related variables. RESULTS: The overall proportion of post-operative opioid use was 10.6% (95% CI: 10.2-10.9). The proportion of new chronic post-operative opioid use was 5.7% (95% CI: 5.5-6.0) among pre-operative opioid naïve patients. The corresponding proportions among patients, who pre-operatively used low or high dose opioid (1-500 mg or > 500 mg cumulative morphine equivalent opioid), were 68.3% (95% CI: 66.1-70.4) and 76.3% (95% CI: 74.0-78.5) respectively. Risk factors associated with new chronic post-operative opioid use included: female gender, underweight and obesity, pre-operative comorbidities, acute surgery, ICU-time > 1 day, and post-operative complications. Strongest predictor of chronic post-operative opioid use was post-discharge use of opioid within one month after surgery (odds ratio 3.3, 95% CI: 2.8-4.0). CONCLUSION: New chronic post-operative opioid use after open cardiac surgery is common. Focus on post-discharge opioid use may help clinicians to reduce rates of new chronic opioid users.

Surgery cancellation: A scoping review of patients' experiences.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To review the literature on patients' experiences of surgery cancellation to gain knowledge of nursing care needs and identify gaps in evidence. BACKGROUND: Surgery cancellations are an ongoing challenge in healthcare systems with negative impacts on healthcare costs, hospital staff and patients. Most research addresses the reasons for cancellation and implementation of preventive interventions, but limited knowledge exists about patients' experiences of cancellation. DESIGN: The scoping review was undertaken using the methodology recommended by the Joanna Briggs Institute for Scoping Reviews and the Reporting Cheklist for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). METHODS: A systematic search was conducted by two independent researchers in Cochrane Library, CINAHL, PubMed and PsycINFO. A forward and backward citation search was performed in Scopus, and references in relevant studies were explored. The tool Covidence was applied to select, compare and discuss relevant articles. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool was used for critical appraisal. RESULTS: Surgery cancellation is emotionally harmful with negative effects on patients. Four themes were identified: 'Initial reactions to cancellation', 'Reactions during a new waiting period at home and during readmission to hospital', 'Information about cancellation' and 'The experience of new practical arrangements'. Patients whose surgery was cancelled experienced initial feelings such as anger, rejection and anxiety and physical/psychosomatic symptoms in the extended waiting period. Patients prefered early sufficient information about cancellation from the surgeon. The practical arrangements were stressfull for the patients. CONCLUSION: Nursing care and identification of vulnerable patients are essential to prevent negative effects in the extended waiting period. Provision of timely, sufficient and professional information about cancellation from the surgeon is important. Further research assessing consequences of cancellation is needed. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Patients would benefit if hospitals find systems to minimise cancellation, and healthcare professionals could systematically develop professional supportive interventions tailored to patients' individual needs.

Pain Catastrophizing Does Not Predict Spinal Cord Stimulation Outcomes: A Cohort Study of 259 Patients With Long-Term Follow-Up.

OBJECTIVE: Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is an important treatment modality used to treat chronic neuropathic pain. However, reported success rates of 26%-70% entail an increased focus on patient selection. An area of core interest is psychological evaluation, often using scales such as the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS). The aim of this study was to assess the relation between baseline PCS scores obtained before implantation and SCS outcomes defined as (1) Rating on Patients' Global Impression of Change scale (PGIC), (2) Pain relief on the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), (3) Cessation of pain medication, and (4) Risk of permanent explantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using records from the Neurizon Neuromodulation Database, we performed a multicenter open cohort study of 259 permanently implanted SCS patients. Follow-up ranged from six months to nine years (median = three years). For each of the defined SCS outcomes, patients were grouped according to their latest follow-up registration. Subsequently, we used a one-way ANOVA and exact t-tests to compare mean baseline PCS scores between groups. RESULTS: No difference in mean baseline PCS scores was found between PGIC groups. Baseline PCS scores was not associated with the probability of obtaining 30% or 50% pain relief on latest registration. Baseline PCS scores of patients able to cease all usage of tricyclic antidepressants, antiepileptics, or opioids during SCS treatment did not differ from baseline scores of continuous users. We found no association between baseline PCS scores and risk of permanent explantation. CONCLUSION: This study did not demonstrate any associations between baseline PCS scores and SCS outcomes.

Ephedrine versus Phenylephrine Effect on Cerebral Blood Flow and Oxygen Consumption in Anesthetized Brain Tumor Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Studies in anesthetized patients suggest that phenylephrine reduces regional cerebral oxygen saturation compared with ephedrine. The present study aimed to quantify the effects of phenylephrine and ephedrine on cerebral blood flow and cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen in brain tumor patients. The authors hypothesized that phenylephrine reduces cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen in selected brain regions compared with ephedrine. METHODS: In this double-blinded, randomized clinical trial, 24 anesthetized patients with brain tumors were randomly assigned to ephedrine or phenylephrine treatment. Positron emission tomography measurements of cerebral blood flow and cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen in peritumoral and normal contralateral regions were performed before and during vasopressor infusion. The primary endpoint was between-group difference in cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen. Secondary endpoints included changes in cerebral blood flow, oxygen extraction fraction, and regional cerebral oxygen saturation. RESULTS: Peritumoral mean ± SD cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen values before and after vasopressor (ephedrine, 67.0 ± 11.3 and 67.8 ± 25.7 µmol · 100 g · min; phenylephrine, 68.2 ± 15.2 and 67.6 ± 18.0 µmol · 100 g · min) showed no intergroup difference (difference [95% CI], 1.5 [-13.3 to 16.3] µmol · 100 g · min [P = 0.839]). Corresponding contralateral hemisphere cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen values (ephedrine, 90.8 ± 15.9 and 94.6 ± 16.9 µmol · 100 g · min; phenylephrine, 100.8 ± 20.7 and 96.4 ± 17.7 µmol · 100 g · min) showed no intergroup difference (difference [95% CI], 8.2 [-2.0 to 18.5] µmol · 100 g · min [P = 0.118]). Ephedrine significantly increased cerebral blood flow (difference [95% CI], 3.9 [0.7 to 7.0] ml · 100 g · min [P = 0.019]) and regional cerebral oxygen saturation (difference [95% CI], 4 [1 to 8]% [P = 0.024]) in the contralateral hemisphere compared to phenylephrine. The change in oxygen extraction fraction in both regions (peritumoral difference [95% CI], -0.6 [-14.7 to 13.6]% [P = 0.934]; contralateral hemisphere difference [95% CI], -0.1 [- 12.1 to 12.0]% [P = 0.989]) were comparable between groups. CONCLUSIONS: The cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen changes in peritumoral and normal contralateral regions were similar between ephedrine- and phenylephrine-treated patients. In the normal contralateral region, ephedrine was associated with an increase in cerebral blood flow and regional cerebral oxygen saturation compared with phenylephrine.

Opioid tapering after spine surgery: Protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Patients are often prescribed opioids at discharge from hospital following surgery. Several studies have shown that a large number of patients do not taper off but continue to use opioids after surgery. Tapering plans and follow-up after discharge may reduce opioid consumption. METHODS: This is a single-centre, investigator-initiated, randomized, controlled trial. One hundred and ten preoperative opioid users, scheduled to undergo spine surgery at Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark, are randomized into two groups: 1) an intervention group receiving an individually customized tapering plan at discharge combined with telephone counselling one week after discharge; 2) a control group receiving no tapering plan or telephone counselling. The primary outcome is number of patients exceeding their preoperative intake one month after discharge. Secondary outcomes are withdrawal symptoms during the first month after discharge, number of patients tapering off to zero three months after discharge, patient satisfaction and contacts with the health care system within the first two weeks after discharge. CONCLUSION: Our study is expected to provide valuable information on opioid tapering after surgery in patients with preoperative opioid use.

Nurses' communication with mechanically ventilated patients in the intensive care unit: Umbrella review.

AIM: To conduct a review summarizing evidence concerning communication with mechanically ventilated patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). BACKGROUND: ICU patients undergoing mechanical ventilation are unable to communicate verbally, causing many negative emotions. Due to changes in sedation practice, a growing number of patients are conscious and experience communication difficulties. DESIGN: The umbrella review method guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute was applied. DATA SOURCES: A systematic search was done in the Cochrane Library, the Joanna Briggs Institute database, Cinahl, Pubmed, PsycINFO and Scopus between January -April 2019. Search terms were 'nurse-patient communication', 'mechanical ventilation', 'intensive care', and 'reviews as publication type'. Literature from 2009-2019 was included. REVIEW METHODS: Following recommendations by the Joanna Briggs Institute, a quality appraisal, data extraction, and synthesis were done. RESULTS: Seven research syntheses were included. There were two main themes and six subthemes: (1) Characterization of the nurse-patient communication: (a) Patients' communication; (b) Nurses' communication; (2) Nursing interventions that facilitate communication: (a) Communication assessment and documentation; (b) Communication methods and approaches; (c) Education and training of nurses; and (d) Augmentative and alternative communication. CONCLUSION: Nurse-patient communication was characterized by an unequal power relationship with a common experience - frustration. Four key interventions were identified and an integration of these may be key to designing and implementing future ICU communication packages. IMPACT: Nurse-patient communication is characterized by an unequal power relationship with one joint experience - frustration. Four key interventions should be integrated when designing and implementing communication packages in the ICU. Findings are transferable to ICU practices where patients are conscious and experience communication difficulties.

Intraoperative methadone for postoperative pain after laparoscopic hysterectomy: Protocol for a randomised, double-blind trial.

BACKGROUND: Hysterectomy is often carried out as same-day surgery. Treatment of postoperative pain is, therefore, of utmost importance to ensure timely discharge from hospital. Methadone has several desirable pharmacological features, including a long elimination half-life. Theoretically, a single intraoperative dose could provide long-lasting pain relief. METHODS: This is a single-centre, investigator-initiated, randomised, double-blind study. Two-hundred and fifty women, scheduled to undergo hysterectomy at Horsens Region Hospital, Denmark, are randomized to receive methadone (0.2 mg/kg) or morphine (0.2 mg/kg) intraoperatively, 60 minutes before extubation. Primary outcomes are opioid consumption at 6 and 24 hours. Secondary outcomes include pain intensity at rest and during coughing at 1, 3, 6, 24 and 48 hours; patient satisfaction at 3 and 24 hours, postoperative nausea and vomiting at 6, 24 and 72 hours, adverse events in the postanaesthesia care unit (PACU) and time until readiness for discharge. Another outcome is persistent abdominal pain after 4 months. CONCLUSIONS: The study outlined in this protocol will provide important information about the use of methadone in same-day hysterectomy patients. The results will presumably be applicable to other types of surgery involving visceral pain.

The Effect of Text Messaging on Medication Adherence After Outpatient Knee Arthroscopy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this project was to examine if text message reminders can increase postoperative adherence to treatment with acetaminophen among outpatients undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery. DESIGN: A nonblinded randomized control trial. METHODS: In this study, 187 patients were randomized to either an intervention group (text message reminders) or a control group (no text message reminders). On the fourth postoperative day, all patients received an electronic questionnaire concerning (1) adherence to treatment with acetaminophen (main outcome), (2) pain intensity, and (3) unscheduled health care contacts. FINDINGS: Data were available from 134 patients (intervention group, n = 70; control group, n = 64). No significant differences between groups were found regarding the median number of missed acetaminophen doses (1 vs 2.5; P = .06), pain intensity at rest and during walking, or the number of unscheduled health care contacts (7 vs 4; P = .35). CONCLUSIONS: A nonsignificant trend toward an increased medication adherence of acetaminophen was found.

Chronic pain after hysterectomy.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Hysterectomy is a common surgical procedure with a low risk of major complications. However, some women experience long-lasting complications, including chronic postsurgical pain, which can have a negative impact on their quality of life. This review aims to present the recent literature on chronic pain following hysterectomy for benign indications. RECENT FINDINGS: Chronic pain following hysterectomy is reported in 10-50% of women. Risk factors include preoperative pelvic pain, pain elsewhere, acute postoperative pain, surgical procedure, and psychological factors such as anxiety and depression. The pain may be neuropathic in 5-50% of cases. SUMMARY: Chronic pain may occur after hysterectomy. Preoperative screening tools, including psychological screening for depression and anxiety, may identify women at risk of developing chronic postsurgical pain, and future studies should examine perioperative interventions aimed at preventing the development of chronic pain after hysterectomy.

Epidural analgesia is superior to local infiltration analgesia in children with cerebral palsy undergoing unilateral hip reconstruction.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Treatment of postoperative pain in children with cerebral palsy (CP) is a major challenge. We investigated the effect of epidural analgesia, high-volume local infiltration analgesia (LIA), and an approximated placebo control on early postoperative pain in children with CP who were undergoing unilateral hip reconstruction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 2009 and 2014, we included 18 children with CP. The first part of the study was a randomized double-blind trial with allocation to either LIA or placebo for postoperative pain management, in addition to intravenous or oral analgesia. In the second part of the study, the children were consecutively included for postoperative pain management with epidural analgesia in addition to intravenous or oral analgesia. The primary outcome was postoperative pain 4 h postoperatively using 2 pain assessment tools (r-FLACC and VAS-OBS) ranging from 0 to 10. The secondary outcome was opioid consumption over the 21-h study period. RESULTS: The mean level of pain 4 h postoperatively was lower in the epidural group (r-FLACC: 0.7; VAS-OBS: 0.6) than in both the LIA group (r-FLACC: 4.8, p = 0.01; VAS-OBS: 5.2, p = 0.02) and the placebo group (r-FLACC: 5.2, p = 0.01; VAS-OBS: 6.5, p < 0.001). Corrected for body weight, the mean opioid consumption was lower in the epidural group than in the LIA group and the placebo group (both p < 0.001). INTERPRETATION: Epidural analgesia is superior to local infiltration analgesia for early postoperative pain management in children with cerebral palsy who undergo unilateral hip reconstruction.

Local Anesthesia Combined With Sedation Compared With General Anesthesia for Ambulatory Operative Hysteroscopy: A Randomized Study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare two anesthetic techniques for postoperative pain after ambulatory operative hysteroscopy. DESIGN: A randomized trial. METHODS: Women (N = 153) scheduled for ambulatory operative hysteroscopy were assigned to receive either paracervical local anesthesia combined with sedation (group LA + S; n = 76) or general anesthesia (group GA; n = 77). Primary outcome was the worst pain intensity score in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) rated by the patients on a numerical rating scale. FINDING: Data from 144 patients were available for analysis (LA + S: n = 69; GA: n = 75). There were no significant differences in worst pain intensity between groups in the PACU (P = .13) or after discharge from PACU (P = .40). In group LA + S, fewer patients received treatment with intravenous fentanyl intraoperatively (P < .01) and time until discharge from PACU was shorter (P < .01). More patients in group LA + S experienced vomiting after discharge (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Local anesthesia with sedation can be recommended as a first choice anesthetic technique for operative ambulatory hysteroscopy.

Persistent pain is common 1-2 years after shoulder replacement.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Persistent postsurgical pain is a well-recognized problem after various types of surgery such as amputation and thoracotomy. The prevalence of persistent pain, and the extent to which it involves neuropathic pain, is highly dependent on the type of surgery. We investigated the prevalence of, characteristics of, and risk factors for persistent pain 1-2 years after shoulder replacement. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to patients who underwent primary shoulder replacement between April 2011 and April 2012, and whose data were recorded in the Danish Shoulder Arthroplasty Register. Patients who had undergone reoperation or bilateral replacements were excluded. Persistent pain was defined as constant or daily pain within the last month, which interfered much or very much with daily activities. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess risk factors. RESULTS: 538 patients were available for analysis. The prevalence of persistent pain was 22% (CI: 18-25), and the prevalence of presumed neuropathic pain was 13% (CI: 10-16). Persistent pain was more frequent in fracture patients (29%) than in osteoarthritis patients (16%), while the prevalence of neuropathic pain was similar. Severe pain during the first postoperative week increased the risk of persistent pain. Risk also increased with hemiprosthesis (as compared to total prosthesis) in osteoarthritis patients, and with previous osteosynthesis and pain elsewhere in fracture patients. INTERPRETATION: Persistent pain after shoulder replacement is a daily burden for many patients. Further studies should address patient and prosthesis selection, postoperative pain management, and follow-up of these patients.