Similar pain relief, satisfaction seen with NSAIDs, narcotics vs opioids alone after arthroscopic meniscectomy

NEW ORLEANS — No significant difference was seen between patients who were prescribed NSAIDs with narcotics for breakthrough pain after arthroscopic meniscectomy and patients who were given opioids only with regard to pain control, satisfaction and total 1-week opioid use, according to a presenter here at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting.

“Prescribing oral opioid medications is the standard care for arthroscopic surgery, but this study suggests it may be prescribed in excess,” Michael Pickell, MD, said during his presentation. “Oral NSAIDs along with a small number of opiates provide equivalent pain relief and patient satisfaction.”

Pickell and colleagues performed a single-center, prospective, non-randomized, comparative observational study of 68 patients who underwent arthroscopic meniscectomy. There were 28 patients who received oral NSAIDs with narcotics and 40 patients received opioids alone following the surgery.

Results showed the two treatment groups were not significantly different with regard to sex, VAS pain or patient satisfaction. On the first postoperative day and days 3 to 7, patients who received opioids had a significantly higher mean narcotic consumption compared with those who received NSAIDs. Investigators noted patients who received opioids tended to have a greater total narcotic usage, although this was not statistically significant. On the day of surgery, there was a significantly greater mean NSAIDs consumption in patients who received NSAIDs. None of the patient groups needed a refill of either NSAIDs or opioids. – by Monica Jaramillo

Reference:

Pham H, et al. Paper #15. Presented at: the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting; March 6-10, 2018; New Orleans.

Disclosure: Pickell reports no relevant financial disclosures.