Opioid‐free vs. opioid‐inclusive anaesthesia with or without regional anaesthesia for postoperative pain: a systematic review with network meta‐analysis of randomised controlled trials
Authors' conclusion
Regional anaesthesia was the key determinant of improved postoperative pain control, and intra-operative opioids added little additional benefit when regional techniques provided adequate coverage.
Study context
- Population
- Adults undergoing anaesthesia885 trials
- Comparison
- Opioid-free vs opioid-inclusive anaesthesia, each with or without RA
- Outcome
- Postoperative pain
Methodological details885 trials from 59 countries
- 885 trials from 59 countries
Pooled result
As reported in the abstract
| Group | SUCRA pain at 2 h | SUCRA pain at 12 h | SUCRA pain at 48 h |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opioid-free + RA | 93% | 85% | 75% |
Opioid-free + RA
SUCRA pain at 2 h93%
SUCRA pain at 12 h85%
SUCRA pain at 48 h75%
Further pooled results
| Outcome | Values |
|---|---|
| Postoperative opioid consumption · 2 h, 12 h and 48 h | Opioid-free + RA SUCRA > 98% |
Postoperative opioid consumption · 2 h, 12 h and 48 h
- RA with opioid-free strategy ranked best at 2 h (moderate certainty), 12 h and 48 h (low certainty)
- Techniques without RA associated with greater opioid requirements
Safety
- Opioid-free approaches, especially combined with RA, associated with lower rates of PONV
Original publication
Opioid‐free vs. opioid‐inclusive anaesthesia with or without regional anaesthesia for postoperative pain: a systematic review with network meta‐analysis of randomised controlled trials. Anaesthesia. Published 5 January 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →