NSAID use in patients showed trend toward less opioid use after rotator cuff surgery

NEW ORLEANS — Compared to patients who took a placebo after rotator cuff surgery, patients who took NSAIDs for 2 weeks after rotator cuff surgery had less pain and took fewer pills overall, said a presenter at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting.

Results of the interim analysis of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial showed a trend toward reduced opioid use among patients who were randomized to take 400 mg of ibuprofen three times a day for 2 weeks after rotator cuff surgery, according to Jennifer Tangtiphaiboontana, MD, at University of California, San Francisco.

The 59 patients studied — 28 in the ibuprofen group and 26 in the placebo group — were 56 years old, mean, and had similar preoperative demographics.

“In the first postoperative week, patients in the ibuprofen group consumed significantly fewer pills. The ibuprofen group consumed a mean of 16.2 pills compared to 22.4 pills placebo,” Tangtiphaiboontana said.

Investigators determined the number of pills consumed and when they were consumed from a pain diary the patients completed.

“Shoulder range of motion, VAS pain scores and ASES [scores] were also similar in both groups at 6 weeks and 3 months postop, with the exception of increased external rotation seen at 3 months in the placebo group,” Tangtiphaiboontana said.

Surgical repairs were intact based on ultrasound results at 1 year, at which time there were 11 patients in the ibuprofen group and 12 patients in the placebo group.

“So, we conclude for now, postoperative use of ibuprofen results in significant reduced amounts of opioid requirements after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair,” she said. – by Susan M. Rapp

Reference:

Tangtiphaiboontana J, et al. Paper #643. Presented at: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting; March 6-10, 2018; New Orleans.

Disclosure: Tangtiphaiboontana reports no relevant financial disclosures.