Comparison of three intraoperative analgesic strategies in laparoscopic bariatric surgery: a retrospective study of immediate postoperative outcomes

Abstract Introduction and objectives Multimodal Analgesia (MMA) has shown promising results in postoperative outcomes across a broad spectrum of surgeries, including bariatric surgery. We compared the analgesic effect immediately after Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery (LBS) of the combined effect of MMA and methadone against two techniques that were based mainly on the use of high-potency medium-acting opioids. Methods Two hundred seventy-one patients were retrospectively reviewed. The primary outcome was postoperative pain score > 3/10 measured by the Verbal Numeric Scale (VNS) during the Postanesthetic Care Unit (PACU) stay. The three protocols of intraoperative analgesia were: (P1) sufentanil at anesthetic induction followed by remifentanil infusion; (P2) sufentanil at induction followed by dexmedetomidine infusion; and (P3) remifentanil at induction followed by MMA including dexmedetomidine, magnesium, lidocaine, and methadone. Only P1 and P2 patients received morphine toward the end of surgery. Poisson regression was used to adjust confounding factors and calculate Prevalence Ratio (PR). Results Postoperative VNS > 3 was recorded in 135 (49.81%) patients, of which 93 (68.89%) were subjected to P1, 25 (18.56%) to P2, and 17 (12.59%) to P3. In the final adjusted model, both anesthetic techniques (P3) (PR = 0.10; 95% CI [0.03-0.28]), and (P2) (PR = 0.42%; 95% CI [0.20-0.90]) were associated with lower occurrence of VNS > 3, whereas age range 20-29 was associated to higher occurrence of VNS > 3 (PR = 3.21; 95% CI [1.22-8.44]) in PACU. Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting (PONV) was distributed as follows: (P1) 20.3%, (P2) 31.25% and (P3) 6.77%; (P3 < P1, P2; p< 0.05). Intraoperative hypotension occurred more often in P3 (39%) compared to P2 (20.31%) and P1 (17.46%) (p< 0.05). Conclusion MMA + methadone was associated with higher incidence of intraoperative hypotension and lower incidence of moderate/severe pain in PACU after LBS.

Impact of educational strategies on pain control quality indicators at a tertiary hospital / Impacto de estratégias educativas nos indicadores de qualidade do controle de dor em um hospital de alta complexidade

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Pain management by the multidisciplinary team remains a challenge in the health field. The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of educational strategies for the implementation of pain as the fifth vital sign and its management in a highly complex hospital. METHODS: An interventional non-controlled study analyzed three different sequential educational processes: Pain training week (PW), educational visits by the pain nurse to guide professionals in relation to pain management and e-learning. The impact of the educational strategy was assessed through pain as the 5th vital sign and adequate pain management. RESULTS: For pain as the 5th vital sign, the audit previous to PW showed a median of compliance of 46.4% at the inpatient unit, 53.1% at the maternity ward and 16.7% at the emergency room. In the evaluations after PW, the median of compliance at the inpatient unit was 78.4%, at the maternity ward 79.62% and at the emergency room 32.9% (p<0.05). There was an improvement in pain management in all hospital sectors after subsequent training (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The implementation of a continuing education program has improved pain care assistance and increased compliance to the institutional pain protocol.

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: O manejo da dor pela equipe multidisciplinar continua como um desafio na saúde. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar o impacto de estratégias educacionais para efetivação da dor como 5º sinal vital e seu gerenciamento em um hospital de alta complexidade. MÉTODOS: Estudo não controlado de intervenção por meio de análise de três diferentes estratégias educativas sequenciais: Semana de treinamentos sobre Dor (SD), visitas educacionais pelo enfermeiro da dor para orientar os profissionais em relação à dor e treinamento eletrônico virtual de revisão. A análise do impacto das estratégias educativas foi realizada por meio de indicadores em relação à dor como 5º sinal vital e tratamento adequado da dor. RESULTADOS: Na avaliação da dor como 5° sinal vital, a auditoria prévia à SD mostrou mediana de conformidade de 46,4% na unidade de internação, de 53,1% na maternidade e de 16,7% no Pronto Socorro. Nas avaliações após a SD, a mediana de conformidade na unidade de internação foi de 78,4%, na maternidade de 79,62% e no pronto atendimento de 32,9% (p<0,05). Houve melhora no tratamento da dor em todos os setores após avaliações subsequentes aos treinamentos (p<0,05). CONCLUSÃO: A implantação de um programa de educação continuada se mostrou efetivo em promover melhora na assistência no cuidado ao paciente com dor e dos resultados dos indicadores assistenciais em relação ao protocolo de dor institucional.