ABSTRACT
Background: Postoperative pain management in oncologic breast surgery plays a crucial role in patient recovery. The excessive use of opioids in managing postoperative pain can lead to undesirable side effects and potential opioid dependence. This study was conducted in the Breast Surgery Department of CMH Rawalpindi, spanning from with the aim of reducing postoperative opioid use while establishing multimodal pain management guidelines and practices.
Aim: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of implementing multimodal pain management strategies in reducing opioid consumption among breast surgery patients. The secondary aim was to create comprehensive guidelines for pain management in oncologic breast surgery cases.
Methods: This prospective study included 90 oncologic breast surgery patients. We divided the patients into two groups: the control group received traditional opioid-based pain management, while the intervention group received multimodal pain management consisting of non-opioid analgesics, regional anesthesia, and other non-pharmacological interventions. Pain scores, opioid consumption, and side effects were recorded. Guidelines for multimodal pain management were developed through a multidisciplinary approach involving surgeons, anesthetists, and pain specialists.
Results: The implementation of multimodal pain management significantly reduced postoperative opioid consumption in the intervention group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Pain scores were comparable between the two groups, indicating effective pain control in both. Side effects related to opioids were significantly lower in the intervention group. The developed guidelines provided a structured approach to multimodal pain management, promoting its adoption within the department.
Conclusion: The study demonstrates that the reduction of postoperative opioid use is achievable in oncologic breast surgery through the implementation of multimodal pain management strategies. This not only minimizes the risk of opioid-related side effects but also ensures effective pain control. The created guidelines offer a practical framework for the Breast Surgery Department at CMH Rawalpindi to improve pain management practices. Implementing these guidelines can contribute to better patient outcomes and reduce the potential for opioid misuse and dependency.
Keywords: Breast surgery, oncologic surgery, postoperative pain, opioid use, multimodal pain management, guidelines, CMH Rawalpindi, pain control, patient outcomes, opioid-related side effects.