Effects of an opioid-free care pathway vs. opioid-based standard care on postoperative pain and postoperative quality of recovery after laparoscopic bariatric surgery: A multicentre randomised controlled trial
Primary result · Change in NRS pain, PACU arrival to ward dischargeResult — go to the resultMD 0.04 95% CI −1.00 to 1.08Authors' conclusion
The opioid-free care pathway offers patients pain relief and recovery outcomes comparable to conventional opioid-based care and reduces opioid use after laparoscopic bariatric surgery.
Study context
- Population
- Adults scheduled for laparoscopic bariatric surgery at two university hospitals in Sweden, May 2019–November 2023110 analysed
- Participants
- 112 adults
- Comparison
- Opioid-free care pathway vs opioid-based standard care
- Interventionn = 55
- Controln = 55reference
- Primary endpoint
- Change in patient-reported pain intensity (numerical rating scale (NRS)) from postanaesthesia care unit (PACU) arrival until discharge to the surgical ward
Methodological detailsmulticentre, nonblinded
- Multicentre
- Nonblinded
Primary result
As reported in the abstract
Change in NRS pain, PACU arrival to ward discharge
MD
0.04
95% CI −1.00 to 1.08
P = 0.97
Change by group
Intervention
3.20
mean · SD 3.01
Control
3.15
mean · SD 2.25
Intervention vs Control
MD 0.04 (95% CI −1.00 to 1.08); P = 0.97
Secondary outcomes
Mean, mg
| Outcome | Intervention | Control | MD (mg) (95% CI) | P value | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opioid consumption in PACU (morphine equivalents) | 6.08 (SD 12.31) | 51.1 (SD 14.9) | −45.0 (−50.1 to −39.8) | P < 0.0001 | |
| Opioid consumption during hospital stay | −40.3 (−54.4 to −25.9) | P < 0.0001 | |||
| −100−50050Difference, mg (linear scale) |
Pain intensity at 24 h, 72 h and 3 months
- No difference between groups at 24 h
- P = 0.078
- No difference between groups at 72 h
- P = 0.060
- No difference between groups at 3 months
- P = 0.30
Total postoperative quality of recovery scale (PQRS) scores · 3-month follow-up
- Did not differ significantly
Original publication
Effects of an opioid-free care pathway vs. opioid-based standard care on postoperative pain and postoperative quality of recovery after laparoscopic bariatric surgery: A multicentre randomised controlled trial. Eur J Anaesthesiol. Published 14 May 2025. doi:10.
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