Opioid Sparing: Managing Acute Postoperative Pain

Considering the significant risks of surgery, initiatives to improve safety and outcomes would have a broad impact on public health. The number of surgical procedures worldwide has grown to over 232 million annually. Studies report that Americans undergo an average of 9.2 surgical procedures per lifetime: 3.4 inpatient, 2.6 outpatient, and 3.2 nonoperating room invasive procedures. The per capita rate of surgery continues to increase through age 75, peaking at 0.16 operations per person per year. Acute pain is a consequence of most surgical interventions. Certain procedures result in higher pain trajectories that, if not adequately addressed, can lead to poorer outcomes and increased costs. Clinical pathways are being developed to address improving outcomes in the most cost-efficient manners. This program examines new options on the horizon for the management of moderate to severe in-hospital acute pain management; the impact of scheduled vs not scheduled analgesics related to the management of in-hospital acute postoperative pain management; health economic and outcomes measures related to in-hospital acute moderate to severe postoperative pain; and enhanced recovery after surgery. (Recorded at PAINWeek 2018)