Dataset Information

Reduced Opioid Prescription After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Does Not Affect Postoperative Pain or Prescription Refills: A Prospective, Surgeon-Blinded, Randomized, Controlled Trial.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

To investigate opioid utilization after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in the setting of a multimodal pain regimen and assess the feasibility of prescribing fewer opioids to achieve adequate postoperative pain control.

Methods

Patients undergoing ACL reconstruction in conjunction with a multimodal approach to pain control were randomized to receive either 30 or 60 tablets of hydrocodone (10 mg)-acetaminophen (325 mg). Patients were contacted at multiple time points up to 21 days after surgery to assess opioid utilization and medication side effects. We compared the mean number of tablets used between groups as the primary outcome. Preoperative variables associated with an increased risk of higher opioid pain medication requirements were also assessed.

Results

The final analysis included 43 patients in the 30-tablet group and 42 in the 60-tablet group. There was no significant difference between groups in the number of tablets consumed (9.5 vs 12.2, P = .22), number of days opioids were required (4.5 vs 6.2, P = .14), 3-month opioid refill rates (12% vs 7%, P = .48), or postoperative pain control at any point up to 21 days after surgery. The 30-tablet group had a significantly smaller proportion of unused tablets compared with the 60-tablet group (69% of prescribed tablets [910 tablets] vs 80% of prescribed tablets [2,027 tablets], P < .001). Opioids were required after surgery by 91% of patients (n = 77), and 81% could have had their pain medication requirements met with a prescription for 15 tablets. Risk factors for increased postoperative opioid use included a family history of substance abuse (β = 14.1; 95% confidence interval, 5.7-22.4; P = .0014) and increased pain score at 2 hours after surgery (β = 1.07; 95% confidence interval, 0.064-2.07; P = .037).

Conclusions

Orthopaedic surgeons may significantly reduce the number opioid tablets prescribed after ACL reconstruction without affecting postoperative pain control or refill rates.

Level of evidence

Level I, randomized controlled trial.

SUBMITTER: Hartwell MJ

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8220566 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:PurposeTo compare postoperative pain scores and opioid use between patients undergoing a standard arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) using hamstring autograft with those undergoing a suture repair augmented with an extracellular matrix scaffold (bridge-enhanced ACL repair) performed through an arthrotomy and to determine factors predictive of postoperative opioid use and levels of overprescription.MethodsA nonrandomized controlled trial was conducted with 20 patients (10 ACLR, 10 bridge-enhanced ACL repair), aged 18 to 35 years. All surgeries were performed by a single surgeon. A pain medication log was provided to patients on discharge. No regional anesthesia was performed. Pain scores via a visual analog pain scale were recorded at each visit. Correlations between preoperative and intraoperative characteristics and postoperative opioid use were determined.ResultsThe total morphine-equivalent dose ranged from 30 to 309 mg (4-42 pills oxycodone) for the ACLR group and 75 to 254 mg (10-34 pills oxycodone) for the bridge-enhanced ACL repair group. The average opioid use per day was 35.8 mg for the patients undergoing bridge-enhanced ACL repair and 44.2 mg for patients undergoing ACLR (P = .29). Pain scores at time points up to 2 years postoperatively were not significantly different between the 2 groups. Across both groups, the average oversupply of oxycodone was 46 pills per patient, a greater than 70% unused opiate rate. Preoperative body mass index and preoperative Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Scores pain score were predictive of greater postoperative opioid use per day, whereas age, concurrent meniscal repair, and operative time were not.ConclusionsTotal overall opiate intake was not different between the patients undergoing bridge-enhanced ACL repair through an arthrotomy and those undergoing arthroscopic ACLR. Both groups had similar pain scores from 2 weeks to 2 years postoperatively. Greater body mass index and greater preoperative pain (lower Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Scores pain score) correlated with greater postoperative opioid use per day. There was an overprescription of opioids across all patients.Level of evidenceLevel III, case control study (therapeutic).