Decreased Opioid Use and Equivalent Pain Score Outcomes After Robotic Urologic Surgery Using a Simplified Opioid Minimization Protocol: A Safety-Net Hospital Experience

Abstract

Introduction: We aimed to implement a simplified opioid minimization (OM) protocol after robotic urologic surgery in a safety-net hospital to decrease opioid consumption without compromising patient-reported pain or satisfaction.

Methods: Robotic urologic surgery was performed in 103 consecutive patients at a safety-net hospital. An opioid control (OC) cohort was established from January to May 2021, and the OM protocol was implemented from June to October 2021. On postoperative day (POD) 2 and POD7, a validated survey was used to assess pain and satisfaction. Opioid dispensation records were queried from the Prescription Monitoring Program. Outcomes were compared by univariate methods.

Results: There were no demographic differences between the OM (n = 45) and OC (n = 35) cohorts. Total opioids received within 30 days of surgery decreased by 68% in the OM vs OC cohort (median [IQR] 32.5 [7.5-65] vs 100 [30-173] morphine milligram equivalents, P < .001). The median amount of opioids prescribed at discharge for the OM cohort was 0 (IQR:0-0) vs 75 morphine milligram equivalents (IQR:0-112.5) for the OC cohort (P < .001). Pain severity did not differ between cohorts on POD2 (median [IQR]: OM=3/10 [2-5], OC=3.5/10 [2-6]; P = .5) or POD7 (median [IQR]: OM=2/10 [0-3], OC=1/10 [0-3]; P = .8), and POD7 satisfaction with pain management remained high for both cohorts (P = .8).

Conclusions: Our simplified OM protocol decreased total opioid use after robotic urologic surgery by 68% without compromising pain or satisfaction.

Keywords: opioids; patient-reported outcomes; postoperative pain; robotic surgery; safety-net hospital.