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Journal of Neurosurgery. Spine Aug 2023The Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol is a comprehensive, multifaceted approach aimed at improving postoperative outcomes. It incorporates a range of...
OBJECTIVE
The Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol is a comprehensive, multifaceted approach aimed at improving postoperative outcomes. It incorporates a range of strategies to promote early and more effective recovery, including reducing pain, complications, and length of stay, without increasing readmission rate. To date, ERAS for spine surgery patients has been primarily limited to lumbar surgery and anterior cervical decompression and fusion (ACDF). ERAS has not been previously studied for posterior cervical surgery, which may present a greater opportunity for improvement in patient outcomes with ERAS than ACDF. This single-institution, multi-surgeon study assessed the impact of an ERAS protocol in patients undergoing posterior cervical decompression surgery.
METHODS
This study included a retrospective consecutive patient cohort with controls that were propensity matched for age, body mass index, sex, home opioid use, surgical levels, Nurick grade, and smoking status. In addition, consecutive patients who underwent posterior cervical decompression surgery for degenerative disease from December 2014 to December 2021 were included. ERAS was implemented in December 2018. Demographic, perioperative, clinical, and radiographic information was gathered. Regression models were created to evaluate length of stay, physiological function, pain levels, and opioid use. The primary focus was length of stay, with secondary outcomes including timing of ambulation, bowel movement, and voiding; daily pain scores; opioid consumption; discharge status; 30-day readmission rates; and reoperation rates.
RESULTS
There were 366 patients included in the study, all of whom were included in multivariate models, and 254 (127 in each cohort) were included on the basis of matching. After propensity matching, patient characteristics, operative procedures, and operative duration were similar between groups. The ERAS cohort had a significantly improved length of stay (3.2 vs 4.7 days, p < 0.0001) and home discharge rate (80% vs 50%, p < 0.001) without an increase in readmission rate. The ERAS cohort had an earlier day of the first ambulation (p = 0.003), bowel movement (p = 0.014), and voiding (p = 0.001). ERAS demonstrated a significantly lower composite complication rate (1.1 vs 1.8, p < 0.0001). ERAS resulted in better maximum pain scores (p = 0.043) and trended toward improved mean pain scores (p = 0.072), although total opioid use was similar.
CONCLUSIONS
Implementing a novel ERAS protocol significantly improved length of stay, return of physiological function, home discharge, complications, and maximum pain score after posterior cervical surgery.
Topics: Humans; Retrospective Studies; Enhanced Recovery After Surgery; Cohort Studies; Analgesics, Opioid; Pain; Length of Stay; Postoperative Complications
PubMed: 37119104
DOI: 10.3171/2023.2.SPINE221174 -
Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine Nov 2023Recent studies have shown that legislation regulating opioid prescriptions in the United States has been successful in reducing the morphine milligram equivalent (MME)...
BACKGROUND
Recent studies have shown that legislation regulating opioid prescriptions in the United States has been successful in reducing the morphine milligram equivalent (MME) prescribed after certain orthopaedic procedures.
PURPOSE
To (1) determine the effect of Ohio's legislation limiting opioid prescriptions after shoulder arthroscopy and (2) identify risk factors associated with prolonged opioid use and increased postoperative opioid dosing.
STUDY DESIGN
Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.
METHODS
We reviewed the data of patients who underwent shoulder arthroscopy between January 1, 2016, and March 31, 2020. Patients were classified according to the date of legislation passage (August 31, 2017) as before legislation (PRE) or on/after legislation (POST). Patients were also classified based on the number of opioid prescriptions filled within 30 days of surgery as opioid-tolerant (at least 1 prescription) or opioid-naïve (zero prescriptions). We recorded patient characteristics, medical comorbidities, and surgical details, as well as the number of opioid prescriptions, MME per prescription from 30 days preoperatively to 90 days postoperatively, and the number of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) analogues and benzodiazepine prescriptions from 30 days preoperatively to the date of surgery. Differences between cohorts were compared with the Fisher exact test and Wilcoxon test. A covariate-adjusted regression analysis was used to evaluate risk factors associated with increased postoperative opioid dosing.
RESULTS
Overall, 279 patients (n = 97 PRE; n = 182 POST; n = 42 opioid-tolerant; n = 237 opioid-naïve) were included in the final analysis. There was a significant reduction in the cumulative MME prescribed in the immediate (0-7 days) postoperative period (PRE, 450 MME vs POST, 315 MME), the first 30 postoperative days (PRE, 590 MME vs POST, 375 MME), and the first 90 postoperative days (PRE, 600 MME vs POST, 420 MME) ( < .001 for all). The opioid-tolerant cohort had higher MME at every time point in the postoperative period ( < .001). Consumption of preoperative opioid (β = 1682.5; < .001), benzodiazepine (β = 468.09; < .001), and GABA analogue (β = 251.37; = .04) was associated with an increase in the cumulative MME prescribed.
CONCLUSION
Opioid prescription-limiting legislation in Ohio significantly reduced the cumulative MME prescribed in the first 30 days postoperatively for both opioid-naïve and opioid-tolerant patients after shoulder arthroscopy. Consumption of opioids, benzodiazepines, and GABA analogues preoperatively was associated with increased postoperative opioid dosage.
PubMed: 38021300
DOI: 10.1177/23259671231202242 -
Critical Care Medicine Dec 2023The objective of this study was to compare pain control and opioid consumption in critically ill patients who were treated with buprenorphine sublingual or oxycodone...
OBJECTIVES
The objective of this study was to compare pain control and opioid consumption in critically ill patients who were treated with buprenorphine sublingual or oxycodone oral/enteral during ICU admission.
DESIGN
This was a retrospective, parallel, cohort study.
SETTING
General medical or surgical ICUs of a quaternary, urban hospital in Sydney, NSW, Australia.
PATIENTS
Data were obtained for all patients admitted to two general medical or surgical ICU from January 2019 to January 2023. Patients were grouped as those who received buprenorphine sublingual versus oxycodone oral/enteral.
INTERVENTIONS
None.
MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS
Pain control was compared between a propensity score matched cohort of patients who received buprenorphine versus oxycodone. The primary outcome was the probability of significant pain. A significant pain score was defined as greater than or equal to 4 on the 0-10 Numeric Rating Scale or greater than or equal to 6 on the Behavioral Pain Scale. The study cohort included 1,070 patients (288 buprenorphine and 782 oxycodone). After propensity score matching, there were 288 patients in each group. The mean age of the matched cohort was 64 ± 16 years, 295 (51%) were male, and 359 (62%) had a surgical admission. The median probability of significant pain was 0.16 with buprenorphine and 0.17 with oxycodone (median difference, 0.01; 95% CI, -0.02 to 0.04; p = 0.50). Median opioid consumption in oral morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs) was 65 with buprenorphine and 70 with oxycodone (median difference, -1 mg; 95% CI, -10 to 10 mg; p = 0.73). Median MME per ICU day was 22 with buprenorphine and 22 with oxycodone (median difference, 1 mg; 95% CI, -2 to 5 mg; p = 0.38).
CONCLUSIONS
Buprenorphine sublingual is as effective as oxycodone oral/enteral with regard to pain control and opioid consumption in the ICU. Buprenorphine sublingual is an appropriate option for patients in the ICU who are unable to take oral/enteral medications.
Topics: Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Female; Buprenorphine; Analgesics, Opioid; Oxycodone; Retrospective Studies; Cohort Studies; Pain
PubMed: 37642505
DOI: 10.1097/CCM.0000000000006031 -
Nursing For Women's Health Aug 2023To evaluate women's postcesarean pain levels and total opioid use for standard opioid pain management compared with local anesthetic with patient-requested opioids.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate women's postcesarean pain levels and total opioid use for standard opioid pain management compared with local anesthetic with patient-requested opioids.
DESIGN
Retrospective cohort study.
SETTING/LOCAL PROBLEM
Rural southeast Ohio. Ohio had a higher rate of opioid use disorder (1.4%) than both the regional average (0.8%) and the national average (0.7%).
PARTICIPANTS
We performed a retrospective study of 402 medical records of women who gave birth by cesarean.
INTERVENTION
Women were provided one of three types of perioperative anesthesia: routine spinal (standard of care group), wound infiltration with liposomal bupivacaine (LB INF), and transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block with liposomal bupivacaine (LB TAP). Data were collected on the amount of opioids taken postoperatively (measured as morphine milligram equivalents [MME]), pain scores, and history of opioid use.
RESULTS
The LB INF and LB TAP groups had significantly lower total and average MME per day than the standard of care group (p < .001). Pain scores for the LB INF group were lower on postoperative day (POD) 0 and POD1, whereas LB TAP pain scores were lower than standard of care pain scores on POD1 (p < .004). Women with a prior history of substance use disorders reported higher pain scores, took more total opioids. and stayed in the hospital longer regardless of type of anesthesia received (p < .001).
CONCLUSION
LB INF and LB TAP were associated with lower amounts of opioids used and with lower postcesarean pain scores compared with the standard of care.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Bupivacaine; Pain Management; Analgesics, Opioid; Retrospective Studies; Pain, Postoperative; Abdominal Muscles
PubMed: 37385592
DOI: 10.1016/j.nwh.2023.03.003 -
American Journal of Obstetrics and... Jul 2023This meta-analysis was conducted to (1) assess the quantity and dose of perioperatively dispensed opioids for benign hysterectomy by procedure route and (2) identify the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
This meta-analysis was conducted to (1) assess the quantity and dose of perioperatively dispensed opioids for benign hysterectomy by procedure route and (2) identify the predictors of persistent opioid use after the procedure.
DATA SOURCES
PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase were systematically searched from study inception to 25 March 2022.
STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Studies reporting data on opioid dispensing among patients undergoing benign hysterectomy were considered eligible. The primary outcome was the dosage of opioids dispensed perioperatively (from 30 preoperative days to 21 postoperative days). The secondary outcome was the predictors of persistent opioid use after benign hysterectomy (from 3 months to 3 years postoperatively). Total opioid dispensing was measured in morphine milligram equivalents units.
METHODS
The random-effects model was used to pool the mean differences or odds ratios and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals.
RESULTS
A total of 8 studies presenting data on 377,569 women undergoing benign hysterectomy were included. Of these women, 83% (95% confidence interval, 81-84) were dispensed opioids during the perioperative period. The average amount of perioperatively dispensed opioids was 143.5 morphine milligram equivalents (95% confidence interval, 40-247). Women undergoing vaginal hysterectomy were dispensed a significantly lower amount of opioids than those undergoing laparoscopic or abdominal hysterectomies. The overall rate of persistent opioid use after benign hysterectomy was 5% (95% confidence interval, 2-8). Younger patient age (odds ratio, 1.38; 95% confidence interval, 1.17-1.63), smoking history (odds ratio, 1.87; 95% confidence interval, 1.67-2.10), alcohol use (odds ratio, 3.16; 95% confidence interval, 2.34-4.27), back pain (odds ratio, 1.50; 95% confidence interval, 1.10-2.05), and fibromyalgia (odds ratio, 1.60; 95% confidence interval, 1.39-1.83) were significantly associated with a higher risk of persistent opioid use after benign hysterectomy. However, there was no significant effect of hysterectomy route and operative complexity on persistent opioid use postoperatively.
CONCLUSION
Perioperative opioid dispensing was significantly dependent on the route of hysterectomy, with the lowest dispensed morphine milligram equivalents of opioids for vaginal hysterectomy and the highest for abdominal hysterectomy. Nevertheless, hysterectomy route did not significantly predict persistent opioid use postoperatively, whereas younger age, smoking, alcohol use, back pain, and fibromyalgia were significantly associated with persistent opioid use.
Topics: Humans; Female; Analgesics, Opioid; Fibromyalgia; Pain, Postoperative; Hysterectomy; Opioid-Related Disorders; Morphine Derivatives
PubMed: 36539027
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2022.12.015 -
Pediatrics Jun 2024Surgery is one of the most common indications for opioid prescribing to pediatric patients. We identified which procedures account for the most pediatric surgical opioid...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Surgery is one of the most common indications for opioid prescribing to pediatric patients. We identified which procedures account for the most pediatric surgical opioid prescribing.
METHODS
We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of commercial and Medicaid claims in the Merative MarketScan Commercial and Multi-State Medicaid Databases. Analyses included surgical procedures for patients aged 0 to 21 years from December 1, 2020, to November 30, 2021. Procedures were identified using a novel crosswalk between 3664 procedure codes and 1082 procedure types. For each procedure type in the crosswalk, we calculated the total amount of opioids in prescriptions dispensed within 3 days of discharge from surgery, as measured in morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs). We then calculated the share of all MMEs accounted for by each procedure type. We conducted analyses separately among patients aged 0 to 11 and 12 to 21 years.
RESULTS
Among 107 597 procedures for patients aged 0 to 11 years, the top 3 procedures accounted for 59.1% of MMEs in opioid prescriptions dispensed after surgery: Tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy (50.3%), open treatment of upper extremity fracture (5.3%), and removal of deep implants (3.5%). Among 111 406 procedures for patients aged 12 to 21 years, the top 3 procedures accounted for 33.1% of MMEs: Tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy (12.7%), knee arthroscopy (12.6%), and cesarean delivery (7.8%).
CONCLUSIONS
Pediatric surgical opioid prescribing is concentrated among a small number of procedures. Targeting these procedures in opioid stewardship initiatives could help minimize the risks of opioid prescribing while maintaining effective postoperative pain control.
PubMed: 38919985
DOI: 10.1542/peds.2024-065814 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2023Viral hepatitis is a major public health concern globally. World health organization aims at eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. Among the... (Review)
Review
Viral hepatitis is a major public health concern globally. World health organization aims at eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. Among the hepatitis causing viruses, hepatitis B and C are primarily transmitted via contaminated blood. Hepatitis A and E, which gets transmitted primarily via the feco-oral route, are the leading cause of acute viral hepatitis. Although vaccines are available against some of these viruses, new cases continue to be reported. There is an urgent need to devise a potent yet economical antiviral strategy against the hepatitis-causing viruses (denoted as hepatitis viruses) for achieving global elimination of viral hepatitis. Although zinc was known to mankind for a long time (since before Christ era), it was identified as an element in 1746 and its importance for human health was discovered in 1963 by the pioneering work of Dr. Ananda S. Prasad. A series of follow up studies involving zinc supplementation as a therapy demonstrated zinc as an essential element for humans, leading to establishment of a recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of 15 milligram zinc [United States RDA for zinc]. Being an essential component of many cellular enzymes and transcription factors, zinc is vital for growth and homeostasis of most living organisms, including human. Importantly, several studies indicate potent antiviral activity of zinc. Multiple studies have demonstrated antiviral activity of zinc against viruses that cause hepatitis. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the findings on antiviral activity of zinc against hepatitis viruses, discusses the mechanisms underlying the antiviral properties of zinc and summarizes the prospects of harnessing the therapeutic benefit of zinc supplementation therapy in reducing the disease burden due to viral hepatitis.
PubMed: 37908540
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1218654 -
Surgery For Obesity and Related... Aug 2023Metabolic surgery is the most effective treatment for obesity and may improve obesity-related pain syndromes. However, the effect of surgery on the persistent use of...
BACKGROUND
Metabolic surgery is the most effective treatment for obesity and may improve obesity-related pain syndromes. However, the effect of surgery on the persistent use of opioids in patients with a history of prior opioid use remains unclear.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of metabolic surgery on opioid use behaviors in patients with prior opioid use.
SETTING
A consortium of public and private hospitals in Michigan.
METHODS
Using a statewide metabolic-specific data registry, we identified 16,820 patients who self-reported opioid use before undergoing metabolic surgery between 2006 and 2020 and analyzed the 8506 (50.6%) patients who responded to 1-year follow-up. We compared patient characteristics, risk-adjusted 30-day postoperative outcomes, and weight loss between patients who self-reported discontinuing opioid use 1 year after surgery and those who did not.
RESULTS
Among patients who self-reported using opioids before metabolic surgery, 3864 (45.4%) discontinued use 1 year after surgery. Predictors of persistent opioid use included an annual income of <$10,000 (odds ratio [OR] = 1.24; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06-1.44; P = .006), Medicare insurance (OR = 1.48; 95% CI, 1.32-1.66; P < .0001), and preoperative tobacco use (OR = 1.36; 95% CI, 1.16-1.59; P = .0001). Patients with persistent use were more likely to have a surgical complication (9.6% versus 7.5%, P = .0328) and less percent excess weight loss (61.6% versus 64.4%, P < .0001) than patients who discontinued opioids after surgery. There were no differences in the morphine milligram equivalents prescribed within the first 30 days following surgery between groups (122.3 versus 126.5, P = .3181).
CONCLUSIONS
Nearly half of patients who reported taking opioids before metabolic surgery discontinued use at 1 year. Targeted interventions aimed at high-risk patients may increase the number of patients who discontinue opioid use after metabolic surgery.
Topics: Aged; United States; Humans; Analgesics, Opioid; Medicare; Bariatric Surgery; Obesity; Hospitals, Private
PubMed: 36872158
DOI: 10.1016/j.soard.2023.01.030 -
International Urogynecology Journal Aug 2023Our objective was to evaluate the amount of opioids used by patients undergoing surgery for pelvic floor disorders and identify risk factors for opioid consumption...
INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS
Our objective was to evaluate the amount of opioids used by patients undergoing surgery for pelvic floor disorders and identify risk factors for opioid consumption greater than the median.
METHODS
This was a prospective cohort study of 18- to 89-year-old women undergoing major urogynecological surgery between 1 November2020 and 15 October 2021. Subjects completed one preoperative questionnaire ("questionnaire 1") that surveyed factors expected to influence postoperative pain and opioid use. At approximately 1 and 2 weeks following surgery, patients completed two additional questionnaires ("questionnaire 2" and "questionnaire 3") about their pain scores and opioid use. Risk factors for opioid use greater than the median were assessed. Finally, a calculator was created to predict the amount of opioid used at 1 week following surgery.
RESULTS
One hundred and ninety patients were included. The median amount of milligram morphine equivalents prescribed was 100 (IQR 100-120), whereas the median amount used by questionnaire 2 was 15 (IQR 0-50) and by questionnaire 3 was 20 (IQR 0-75). On multivariate logistic regression, longer operative time (aOR 1.64 per hour of operative time, 95% CI 1.07-2.58) was associated with using greater than the median opioid consumption at the time of questionnaire 2; whereas for questionnaire 3, a diagnosis of fibromyalgia (aOR=16.9, 95% CI 2.24-362.9) was associated. A preliminary calculator was created using the information collected through questionnaires and chart review.
CONCLUSIONS
Patients undergoing surgery for pelvic floor disorders use far fewer opioids than they are prescribed.
Topics: Humans; Female; Adolescent; Young Adult; Adult; Middle Aged; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Analgesics, Opioid; Prospective Studies; Pelvic Floor Disorders; Surgery, Plastic; Pain, Postoperative; Practice Patterns, Physicians'
PubMed: 36708404
DOI: 10.1007/s00192-022-05428-7 -
Small (Weinheim An Der Bergstrasse,... Jun 2024The development of miniaturized high-throughput in situ screening platforms capable of handling the entire process of drug synthesis to final screening is essential for...
The development of miniaturized high-throughput in situ screening platforms capable of handling the entire process of drug synthesis to final screening is essential for advancing drug discovery in the future. In this study, an approach based on combinatorial solid-phase synthesis, enabling the efficient synthesis of libraries of proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) in an array format is presented. This on-chip platform allows direct biological screening without the need for transfer steps. UV-induced release of target molecules into individual droplets facilitates further on-chip experimentation. Utilizing a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinases (MEK1/2) degrader as a template, a series of 132 novel PROTAC-like molecules is synthesized using solid-phase Ugi reaction. These compounds are further characterized using various methods, including matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) imaging, while consuming only a few milligrams of starting materials in total. Furthermore, the feasibility of culturing cancer cells on the modified spots and quantifying the effect of MEK suppression is demonstrated. The miniaturized synthesis platform lays a foundation for high-throughput in situ biological screening of potent PROTACs for potential anticancer activity and offers the potential for accelerating the drug discovery process by integrating miniaturized synthesis and biological steps on the same array.
Topics: Humans; High-Throughput Screening Assays; Proteolysis; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization; Cell Line, Tumor; Miniaturization
PubMed: 38258390
DOI: 10.1002/smll.202307215